Sommeliers of the American Riviera 2025 Santa Barbara County Sparkling Review Thanks to Santa Barbara County's east–west orientation, with the cold Pacific to the west and the rising sun to the east, the region is home to every grape growing climate on earth, all in the distance of about thirty miles. The American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) of Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley are directly influenced by onshore winds from the cold Pacific Ocean, rendering them ideal locations for the cultivation of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and especially conducive for the production of Traditional Method sparkling wines. That said, some of those participating in this review used fruit growing as far east as Los Olivos District with remarkable success! For its annual review, Sommeliers of the American Riviera (StAR) tastes blind, that is to say that those judging are blind to the identities of participating producers. The wines are judged solely on their appearance, aroma, flavor, and structure, according to what the international sommelier community considers to be a classic example of the highest quality wine a given grape variety can produce when grown in a particular region. Of the 30 wines tasted for the StAR 2025 Santa Barbara County Sparkling Review, the following received 90 points or higher: Sandhi, 2019 La Rinconada Vineyard, Blanc de Noirs — 96 Brick Barn, 2022 Santa Barbara County, Blanc de Noirs — 95 Brick Barn, 2022 Santa Barbara County, Blanc de Blancs — 94 Fesstivity, 2022 Sta. Rita Hills, Brut Cuvée — 94 Flying Goat, 2022 Rosé — 94 Flying Goat, 2019 Brut Cuvée — 94 Loubud, 2022 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Blanc de Blancs — 94 Racines, (disgorged 2024) Sta. Rita Hills, Grand Reserve, Chardonnay — 94 SAMsARA, 2023 Sta. Rita Hills, Blanc de Blanc — 94 Strange Family Vineyards, 2020 Sta. Rita Hills, Cuvée — 94 Strange Family Vineyards, 2021 Sta. Rita Hills, Brut Rosé — 94 Tyler Winery, Mae Estate, Perpetual Reserve, Extra Brut — 94 Fesstivity, 2023 Sta. Rita Hills, Blanc de Blancs — 93 Piazza Family Wines, 2022 Bella Vista Vineyard, Sparkling Nebbiolo — 93 Presqu'ile, 2021 Santa Maria Valley, Rosé — 93 Riverbench, 2018 Santa Maria Valley, Blanc de Blancs — 93 Spear, 2019 Estate, Blanc de Noir — 93 Loubud, 2022 Peake Ranch, Blanc de Noirs — 92 Presqu'ile, 2021 Santa Maria Valley, Blanc de Blancs — 92 Riverbench, 2018 Santa Maria Valley, Brut Rosé — 92 Blair Fox Cellars, 2021 Estate, Grenache Rosé — 91 Luna Hart, 2023 North Canyon Vineyard, Grüner Veltliner — 91 Sea Smoke, 2020 Estate, Sea Spray — 91 Melville, 2023 Estate, Blanc de Blancs — 90 What we liked most about Sandhi's Blanc de Noirs: light copper to rose color | high aromatic intensity and complexity | flavors and aromas of raspberry, rainier cherry, pomegranate, dried roses, perfume, slightly oxidative crumbling red apple, faint walnut, dried herbs, bread crust, and sweet cream | soft texture, vibrant acidity, heavy mousse. What we liked most about the Brick Barn's Blanc de Noir: pale salmon color | high aromatic intensity and complexity | flavors and aromas of strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, fresh flowers, roses, perfume, cotton candy, vanilla cake, long wild berry finish | soft texture, elegant acidity, heavy mousse. Tech sheets:  Sandhi, 2019 La Rinconada Vineyard, Blanc de Noirs   Brick Barn, 2022 Santa Barbara County, Blanc de Noirs   Thank you to all the producers that participated in this project, and congratulations especially to Sandhi and Brick Barn! Your hard work and passion bring joy to us all. Emily Johnston, founding member Carlos Mascherin, founding member Kathryn Hope, senior member