Dianna grew up on a farm outside of Dallas, Texas, and started her career working in the epicure department at Neiman Marcus. Her interest in fine wine was sparked at once, and she soon decided to leave Texas to seek out the verdant pastures of Sonoma County and learn all she could about winemaking. From fashionable foodstuffs to farming and viticulture – she started the pinot-haven winery of Siduri with partner, Adam Lee, in 1994 – going from producing 104 cases to 30,000 annually over the course of 20-plus years. She eventually sold the brand to Jackson Family Wines in order to go back to her roots – producing small-scale wines – while being able to concentrate more time on raising her three kids. It was at this time the Flaunt was born, a woman-owned winery focused on small-production, intentionally crafted still and sparkling wines.

The 2019 Brut is pulled from two vineyards in the Russian River Valley, an area known for long and cool growing seasons well-suited to Champagne varietals like chardonnay and pinot noir. 52% percent chardonnay and 48% pinot noir make up the cepage, hand harvested and then gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks before bottling for secondary fermentation and aging en tirage. Aged sur lie for three years, it was periodically riddled and then disgorged and given a subtle 1.8 g/L dosage, lending to its ultimately crisp finish.

And, my word, the results are satisfying! Careful and steadfast winemaking has lent this impressive California sparkling a well-integrated effervescence and bone-dry seriousness. It opens with fresh aromas of just-picked plump pears, Fuji apple, and an air of steaming sourdough just pulled from the oven. A power and elegance joyously reminiscent of fine Champagne follows – dancing on the palate with sharp lemon zest, more ripe pear, apple, honeysuckle, candied almonds, and tiptoeing droplets of nectarine and plum juice. This sparkling wine drinks vigorously, touching between roundness, sweetness, and tang, for an ever-lasting and endlessly enjoyable experience. Well under $30 for this Sonoma County stunner… go for the half- or full-case, why don’t you?