Ready, Set, Go

Who doesn’t love sparkling wine? With harvest in full swing, the sisters at Breathless Wines are asking that pivotal question.
The Breathless team includes Sisters One, Two and Three: Sharon Cohn, Rebecca Faust, and Cynthia Faust. Honorary Sister Four, Penny Gadd-Coster, is the most important sister of the bunch according to Cohn. An acclaimed winemaker, Gadd-Coster brings her nearly 35 years of winemaking experience to Breathless Wines. Having worked with Rebecca Faust at custom crush and bottling facility Rack & Riddle since 2007, Gadd-Coster was easily adopted into the Breathless Wines fold. 

“Sparkling wine is bubbly, fun, effervescent. We couldn’t do any of this without our own bubbly Penny,” said Cohn. “She helps bring the sparkle to our Sparkling wine.”

Embracing another harvest season with the style for which they are known, the formidable team of Sisters was up “harvest-early” on a recent August morning to oversee grape picking for their award-wining wines. Largely known for their bubbles, the methode champenoise sparkling wines include the Blanc de Noirs, Breathless Brut, Blanc de Blancs, and Sparkling Rosé. Each with its own pedigree and list of accolades, the sparkling wines are not only Breathless Wines’ claim to fame but what their fans and loyal customers truly clamor for.

Bubbles and More

The Breathless website includes this quote by Napoleon, “Champagne: in victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it.” A better truth has never been spoken and the ritual of champagne is what defines Breathless Wines.  With an adorable hand-painted, vintage-style label, the sparkling wines are celebration-ready. When tastings are in full swing, guests can make reservations for events like the Sabrage Experience.  Here, experienced guides give one-on-one instruction in the art and technique of opening a bottle of sparkling wine using a saber. Not for the weak of heart, the show-stopping ceremony is an exciting ritual for any tasting experience.
Of course, it’s not all bubbles at Breathless. The delicious offerings also include a beautiful still Chardonnay, a rose-hued still Rosé, a delicate aperitif called Ratafia, as well as a lovely still Pinot Noir.

Welcome Back

After months of seemingly never-ending shut downs, the beautiful Breathless tasting room is once again open in downtown Healdsburg. Reservations for al fresco tastings on the sunny patio and in the gorgeous gardens can be made during regular business hours; Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cohn was quick to point out that the outdoor seating areas have been carefully arranged to comply with social distancing guidelines as well as the comfort and enjoyment of guests.  “Our tasting room Ambassadors will be masked and we can accommodate groups of up to eight people,” said Cohn who followed that up by saying, “We are thrilled to welcome our guests back once again!”

Tasting Room Events

With a sense of community at its core, Cohn said the team donates its tasting room space to a nonprofit on a monthly basis enabling a local organization to host a celebration, fundraiser or thank you event for top-level donors. At capacity, the space accommodates 100 people and can easily host 75 following social distancing guidelines. There is also a monthly Crepes & Bubbles event where guests can enjoy both offerings.  And, no celebration would be complete without music so a monthly Bubbly Hour with music takes place from 4 to 7 p.m.  Check the website for details about all three.

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Breakfast at Breathless – the last Sunday of the month through October hosted by Crêperie Chez Solange. Each ticket includes a sweet or savory French Crêpe and a delicious glass of bubbles, served on the garden patio.

Friday Bubbly Hour – Live music by Ellie James on the garden patio September 17 from 4-7 p.m. Delicious local cheese & charcuterie boxes available (72+ hours in advance). Enjoy a refreshing bottle or glass of sparkling or still wine. Make it a celebration with a Caviar Picnic - Caviar, crème fraîche and our famous potato chips.

Don’t miss the 5 Year Anniversary SpeakEasy Event – October 17! Check the website for details.

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What’s New: Breathless Ambassadors

To survive the past year-plus, wineries have become incredibly creative in the face of covid-related shutdowns. Treating it as a mere bump in the road, the Breathless team quickly pivoted to a Brand Ambassador model that was launched on September 1, 2021. Today, there is a growing cadre of Breathless Ambassadors who share the wines through casual, private tastings they’ve arranged with family and friends. The newly converted can then purchase their favorites through the Breathless Wines’ website for either special occasions or, every day quaffing. “We have so many wonderful customers who love to share our wines,” said Cohn.  “This was a perfect next step for helping spread the word about Breathless Wines, especially when our tasting room had to be closed.”

“Penny continues to move us forward with new and innovative wines that we just know our customers will fall in love with,” said Cohn.

More Breathless to Love

This holiday season, Cohn said the team is introducing new offerings including a Blanc de Blancs Organic Sparkling and 375s of brut and rosé in a 1920s art deco artistic flair…and three single vineyard wines that are four years on the lees as well as a Naturale sparkling!

Sabrage Experience

We love all the rituals of champagne, from the release of the wire cage to that first effervescent pour. But the most exciting ceremony is the traditional art of sabrage, using an authentic saber to open a bottle of sparkling wine.
In the Breathless sabrage experience, receive one-on-one instruction from our experienced guide who will teach you the proper technique of opening a bottle of Champagne using impact from the blunt side of a saber. You’ll also receive that same bottle of Breathless Sparkling Wine, newly opened by your own hand, to enjoy on the property.
$69 per person, reservations required