United States · California

Schramsberg

Schramsberg Vineyards is California's oldest dedicated sparkling wine producer, with roots tracing to Jacob Schram who planted the Calistoga property in 1862. The modern incarnation was established in 1965 by Jack and Jamie Davies, who pioneered traditional method sparkling wine production in California. Schramsberg's Blanc de Blancs became the first California wine served at a White House state dinner when Nixon brought it to China in 1972, fundamentally altering perceptions of California wine internationally. At auction, 143 lots have traded at an average of $74, ranging from $6 to $413. The Blanc de Blancs leads at 69 lots averaging $89; the flagship J. Schram Brut — a prestige cuvee of exceptional complexity — averages $80 across 28 lots; Brut Rose averages $57 across 34 lots. J. Schram, produced only in exceptional years, is the most sought auction bottling with scores in the 93-96 range from critics who treat it as a California answer to vintage Champagne. The $413 ceiling reflects J. Schram in excellent vintages or large-format bottles.