Gloria Ferrer is one Sonoma’s most consistent producers of finessed bubbles. That’s not just due to its 35-plus years in California and steady application of know-how and TLC to its 340 acres of estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Ferrer family has been growing grapes in Catalonia for over 600 years and launched its first Cava under the Freixenet label in 1914!

These wines offer tremendous value. (The SRPs listed below are high; these bottlings often can be found for $16-20.) After the hand-harvesting of the grapes, each wine below sees an initial fermentation in stainless steel tanks then spends at least 1.5 years en tirage(on the yeast lees of the second fermentation) before disgorgement. There are no sacrifices on quality at Gloria Ferrer.

90
Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 12.5% $22
Composed of 91.6% Pinot Noir with a splash of Chardonnay, this wine’s coppery hue comes from the addition of a very pale rosé (called vin gris)prior to its second fermentation in bottle. Full of red plum skin, strawberry hull and rhubarb with a touch of toasted breadcrumbs, this is a wholesome mouthful of dry, crisp and lively sparkling wine.
Drink: 2018-20

89
Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 12.5% $22
Made of Carneros Chardonnay, this is brisk, pure and focused Blanc de Blanc showcases steely acidity wrapped around a firm, green apple core. As is true of many Blanc de Blancs, it’s a sparkler for food, not just for an aperitif. The moderate finish brings on oatmeal and baked piecrust flavors.
Drink: 2018-20 

88
Sonoma Brut NV 12.5% $22
A combo of 86.5% Pinot Noir and 13.5% Chardonnay, this vaguely pink wine clearly shows the smooth creaminess and mouth-filling breadth of nicely ripe Pinot Noir. There’s a touch of acacia and Asian pear on the nose that evolves into white peach and pink grapefruit on the palate.
Drink: 2018-19