In Search of Better Bubbly

Groundbreaking Clonal Research

We take the quality of our bubbly very seriously at Gloria Ferrer. So, we decided to learn everything we could about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—the two most important sparkling wine varieties—as they relate to the specific conditions in our vineyards. In 1988, our winegrowing team began the first of three clonal trials on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which were conducted in collaboration with U.C. Davis—a research partnership that continues today. To date, our winegrowing team has studied nearly 40 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones in our two estate vineyards.

Of course, our still wines also have benefited from this extensive clonal research. Our winegrowing team has meticulously matched more than two-dozen clones to the diverse growing conditions in our estate vineyards with delicious results. For example, our Rust Rock Terrace Pinot Noir is made from select blocks in the uppermost hillside of our Circle Bar Ranch, where a volcanic ridgeline provides optimal growing conditions for the variety. While, our Gravel Knob Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from exotically aromatic fruit grown in a rocky, windy southwest corner of the estate.