7 Pennsylvania Sparkling Wines to Toast the Holidays

If you’ll be drinking bubbles during the holidays, consider these Pennsylvania sparkling wines in a variety of styles that show the craftsmanship, quality, and creativity of the state’s winemakers. 

Sparkling wine is no longer considered just a special occasion wine. In the past three years, the number of US residents who drink sparkling wine has risen by 30%, and they’re turning to bubbles more frequently than they have in the past. Three years ago, 56% of wine drinkers popped the cork on sparkling wine once a month. Now, 72% of us open a bottle of fizz monthly. And, 25% of us drink it at least twice a week, according to Wine Intelligence. 

It’s clear that we don’t think of sparkling wine as a special occasion-only wine anymore. And, we don’t consider Champagne the only kind worth drinking. In Pennsylvania, sparkling wine takes many forms from traditional bubbles like those found in France’s Champagne region to Pét-Nat made in an ancient method to fun and fresh canned fizz. 

If you’ll be drinking bubbles during the holidays—for a special occasion, as a treat while you’re wrapping gifts, or simply to pair with your Tuesday night dinner when there’s nothing holiday-ish going on—consider these Pennsylvania sparkling wines in a variety of styles that show the craftsmanship, quality, and creativity of the state’s winemakers. 

Bella Terra Vineyards Canned Blanc de Blanc

Along with drinking more bubbly, we now understand putting sparkling wine in cans—if it’s made to drink while it’s young—is a smart idea. Hunker’s Bella Terra Vineyards’ dry sparkling Chardonnay (Blanc de Blanc is the French term for white sparkling wine from white grapes) comes in a 4-pack of 12-ounce cans. 

For the holiday season, try this Blanc de Blanc for a friends’ get together. Or, if you’re lucky enough to spend some time in a hot tub or an indoor pool, toast your good fortune without fear of breaking glass in the tub. Buy at the winery or order online for delivery.

Location: 121 Sunny Lane, Hunker, Westmoreland County

Camuna Cellars Mixed Dancing

The 2020 Mixed Dancing from Philadelphia’s urban winery Camuna Cellars is a dry, lightly effervescent blend of Seyval Blanc, cider, and a little bit of mead (fermented honey). It has a lower ABV than many wines—just 10.2%. It’s also certified kosher.

For the holiday season, try the magnum size (the equivalent of two regular bottles) to introduce party guests to this unique bubbly blend. Order online for delivery.

Location: Camuna is located in Philadelphia but the winery is not open to the public for sales.

Fero Vineyards Grüvee

Located in Lewisburg, Fero Vineyards crafts several award-winning bubblies. Their sparkling wine accolades include a double gold medal for their Bubbly Blush, a gold for their Dry Sparkling Rosé, and a gold medal for their Bubbly Riesling at the 2018 PA Farm Show. 

For the holiday season, try their sparkling Grüvee, a dry carbonated version of their Grüner Veltliner. It’s perfect for toasting the New Year, pairing with a turkey dinner, or making a Mimosa or French 75 at a holiday brunch. Buy at the winery or order online for delivery.

Location: 965 JPM Road, Lewisburg, Union County 

Galen Glen Bubbly Rosé

Galen Glen in Andreas is one of the state’s most celebrated wineries. Their wines are considered a benchmark, particularly their white wines like Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. All of their wines are quality, including the Bubbly Rosé, a fresh thirst-quenching, off-dry, crowd-pleasing effervescent wine. 

For the holiday season, try the Bubbly Rosé when you’re hanging with the #roséallday crowd or to sip on as you’re cleaning up on New Year’s Day and munching on the leftovers. Buy at the winery or order online for delivery.

Location: 255 Winter Mountain Drive, Andreas, Schuylkill County

South Shore Wine Company The Perfect Bubbly

One of Erie’s Mazza brands, South Shore Wine Company focuses on sparkling wine. The Perfect Bubbly is a blend of Vidal Blanc, Cayuga White, Riesling, and Traminette grown in the Lake Erie appellation. Buy at the winery or order online for delivery.

For the holiday season, try this florally, slightly sweet bubbly as the glass of wine you hand guests as they’re walking through the door or any time you want to drink sparkling wine on its own without pairing it with anything else. 

Location: 1120 Freeport Road North East, Erie County

Wayvine Pét-Nat Riesling

What is Pét-Nat? It’s the name for the original method of making sparkling wine, also called the méthode ancestrale. This ancient method is back in vogue, and Nottingham’s Wayvine Winery uses their estate Riesling grapes, the same ones that go into their still Riesling, to create a bubbly.

For the holiday season, try this wine when you’re looking for a festive natural wine. It’s fresh, bubbly, and unfiltered. Buy at the winery or order online for delivery.

Location: 5150 Forge Road, Nottingham, Chester County

Wyndridge Vitis Hard Cider

Cider? In a sparkling wine article? Yes, when the cider is fermented with Chambourcin grape skins to give it a rosé vibe. Wyndridge Farm in Dallastown ferments Gold Rush, Stayman, and Jonagold apples with the grape skins to create a sparkling cider/wine that’s aged in French oak for 6 months.

For the holiday season, try this cider/wine when you want something with a low ABV—just 6.9%—as an alternative option to wine at a party, or while you’re enjoying a mid-week holiday movie night on the couch. Buy at the winery or order online for delivery.

Location: 885 S Pleasant Ave, Dallastown, York County