Let’s debunk the #1 sparkling wine myth right off the bat, shall we? Sparkling wine is not only for special occasions. You do not need to save the good bottles for when you get that promotion or your kid graduates high school or you win the lottery (This last one? Bad odds).
The day does not need to be special. However—and here’s the sparkling wine paradox—if you pop a bottle of sparkling wine, the day actually does seem a little more special, a little brighter. Simply put, bubbles make everything better.
Open a bottle because you made it through another Tuesday of tiresome back-to-back meetings or because you ordered your favorite Thai takeout or because you plan to binge watch Bridgerton tonight.
In the dark of winter, when the world is apparently falling apart around us, a little bubbly happiness can really lift your mood.
Have you heard of the concept of joy snacks? It’s the idea of tuning into the everyday routineness of life and recognizing the little sparks of joy in your day. A glass of liquid sunshine can definitely be a spark of joy.
In the greater Seattle/Eastside region, we have several wineries, shops, and bars specializing in sparkling wine. How lucky are we? Time for a field trip, folks. Let’s go snack on some sparkling wine joy (and some salty potato chips, while we’re at it).
Elentone
Elentone is one of two sparkling wine houses located in the Puget Sound region. Located in the Artisan Hill area of Woodinville, Elentone is owned and run by husband/wife team of winemaker Chris Sherry and Miguele de Quadros-Sherry.
Named in homage to Sherry’s hometown in the U.K., the winery has been steadily gaining name recognition and accolades for their gorgeous Traditional Method sparkling wines. Elentone sources Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Blanc grapes from Clos CheValle Vineyard in the Lake Chelan AVA and Rainmaker Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA.
They currently offer a tasting flight of five wines and while one shouldn’t play favorites, my favorite is the 2021 Noa Blanc de Blancs, a blend of 84% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Blanc.
This April, the winery will be opening a new tasting room and production space in the former Kevin White Winery space (just up a few blocks from their current location). The owners are excited to have more space and the opportunity to expand production when the time is right.
Elentone, 18570 142nd Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072, www.elentone.com
Pinstripe Wines
Pinstripe Wines, the newest sparkling wine house to grace our region, is owned by Amy and Jeri Andrews, a local couple who formerly ran business operations for XOBC. In 2023, they founded Pinstripe to focus exclusively on Traditional Method sparkling wines, hiring the highly regarded Kate Payne Brown as their consulting winemaker.
Pinstripe is equally committed to crafting extraordinary wines, uplifting diverse talent in the wine industry, and being of service to their community.
“We want to spread the good word and spread the great wine,” said Amy Andrews. The couple donates 100% of winery profits to the Seattle Children’s Uncompensated Care Fund, a fund which ensures that every child that need medical care, receives care, regardless of their family’s economic status.
Pinstripe’s first three releases were a 2023 Blanc de Blanc, a 2015 Blanc de Noir, and a 2023 Pinot Meunier, all made from grapes grown in the Willamette Valley. The wines have been so well received, that they are planning 1,000 cases for 2026.
Tastings are currently by appointment. In early summer, the Andrews plan to open a cozy, Parisian-inspired tasting room in the Interbay neighborhood. This reservation-only space will allow them to curate intimate experiences for their guests and wine club members.
Pinstripe Wines. 4203 24th Ave W., #101 Seattle, WA 98199, www.pinstripewines.com
fatcork
Located in a lower level of a nondescript building on Queen Anne, is fatcork, a charming wine shop specializing in grower Champagne. The shop works with 21 producers across the Champagne region, typically featuring several cuvées from each grower. Many of the growers come from multi-generational families that have been growing grapes and making wine on their family estates for centuries.
As it is a wine shop, not a wine bar, fatcork offers weekly themed tastings (three glasses, 2 oz pours), but not wines by the glass. The week I visited, I sampled three distinctive and delicious Blanc de Blancs, and gladly accepted a little bag of potato chips to accompany the tasting.
Members of the fatcork wine club (quarterly allotments) can visit and sample the week’s tasting menu gratis. Folks often bring snacks, books, and dogs in and settle in for an enjoyable afternoon of sipping and chatting with friends as if at a Parisian cafe.
fatcork, 111 W. John St. Ste. 136a, Seattle, WA 98119. www.fatcork.com
POP Culture Champagne Bar
With a peek-a-boo view of the Kirkland waterfront and a bright and inviting interior, POP Culture Champagne Bar has become a popular gathering spot for Kirkland locals.
“It’s such a cool thing,” said owner Carolyn Holt. “I’m about 85% regulars. We’ve become a hub in the community.”
After a long career as a school counselor, Holt needed a break and during the pandemic, created a vision board to help her uncover what could be next. Wine, and specifically, sparkling wine, was the answer.
Devoted to breaking down barriers to the everyday enjoyment of sparkling wine, Holt offers a variety of international and domestic sparkling wines ranging from easily recognizable name brands to grower Champagne. She changes the menu about every five weeks to ensure a diversity of options and price ranges; the four wine club options are also varied for guests’ taste and convenience.
If you feel snacky, POP Culture has both sharable items and fancy grilled cheeses, as well as a croissant brunch board for weekends.
POP Culture Champagne Bar, 42 Lakeshore Plaza, Kirkland, WA 98033. www.sippopculture.com
Love Beats Payne & McQueen Champagne Bar
Back in 2019, Structure Cellars co-owner Brandee Slosar was faced with a problem that seemed good on the surface: Structure had sold out of all their wine. So, great, but now no customers until new vintages were ready?
Structure was only using part of their SODO location, so Slosar decided to access the full, larger space and create a pop-up Champagne bar. Her regulars loved the concept and word of mouth spread, and the now-named Love Beats Payne became permanent.
“I love learning about Champagne,” said Slosar. “It’s fun to teach and learn with other people.”
Not long after, she opened McQueen Champagne Bar in Woodinville’s new Schoolhouse District. While Love Beats Payne is bright and music-focused, McQueen is dark and sexy, inspired by Slosar’s love of fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Both venues offer sparkling wine tasting flight, glass pours, and bottles for sale with monthly special pours, as well as wine clubs. Slosar loves to create memorable events—for McQueen’s Cava party, she organized a “running of the bulls” (with a real bull!) through the streets of Woodinville, followed by tapas and flamenco dancers back at the bar—so be sure to check out the websites to see what’s coming next.
Love Beats Payne, 3861 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, www.lovebeatspagne.com
McQueen Champagne Bar, 17405 133rd Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA, 98072 www.mcqueenchampagnebar.com
The Coupe & Flute
Beacon Hill’s popular The Coupe & Flute calls itself a “Champagne tavern” which sounds absolutely enchanting, like where Cinderella goes when she needs to get away from the Prince and grab a gorgeous glass of bubbles and bowl of lemon-pepper spiked popcorn with her besties.
The dinner menu is filled with Asian-influenced shareable bites (that is, if you want to share) and the Sticky Toffee Pudding with miso toffee sauce has become legendary. The Coupe & Flute is also known for its brunches and long list of boozy and sparkling cocktails.
Their intriguing menu of sparkling wines (Sparking Furmint? OK!) are available by the glass or by the flight and rotate regularly. You may also want to check out their Champagne & Cavi Hour. Do you prefer Siberian Sturgeon or Imperial Golden Osetra?
The Coupe & Flute, 3015 Beacon Avenue South, Seattle, WA, 98144, www.thecoupeandflute.com
