If you're a sparkling wine fan, Schramsberg is a must. The winery is serene and understated, surrounded by gardens, ponds and vineyard fields. Tours are a bit pricy, but each is both a history lesson and generous tasting from storied bottles such as those filled with blanc de blanc, a sparkling chardonnay that was the first wine Schramsberg produced back in 1965 (also what Nixon served at his Toast to Peace in Beijing in 1972). The caves are full of history as well; no corporate concrete here, just mossy stone walls and a master winemaker had-turning bottles using the same technique developed by Madame Cliquot—yes, that Cliquot.
How to visit: Schramsberg offers tastings (with cave tour) at 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, noon, 1:30pm and 2:30pm. Each five-wine tasting lasts one hour and fifteen minutes and costs $65; complimentary (and delicious) breadsticks served. Tastings are by appointment only.
In short: Rustic; historic; best bubbly in the region