PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Wedding Cuvée has quietly become one of the most personally significant bottles in Iron Horse's entire portfolio — not because of any single accolade, but because of what it's come to represent for the people who drink it. As Joy Sterling, second-generation steward of the estate, has put it: "what I hear far more often — at dinners, at tastings, from people I have just met — are the love stories. They served Wedding Cuvée at their wedding. They opened a bottle when they proposed. They have a bottle they are saving for a milestone anniversary." First crafted in 1980, this is Iron Horse's own interpretation of Blanc de Noirs — a sparkling wine built primarily from Pinot Noir, entirely estate-grown in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, in western Sonoma County.
Iron Horse was founded in 1976 by Barry and Audrey Sterling, and remains family-owned to this day, now guided by the second generation, Joy and her brother Laurence. The estate's 300 acres sit in the heart of Green Valley's cool, foggy climate, just 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean, planted across 164 acres split evenly between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grown on "Gold Ridge" soil — a naturally well-drained sandy loam considered especially well-suited to Pinot Noir. The estate is certified sustainable, and Wedding Cuvée is made using traditional méthode champenoise, the same labor-intensive secondary fermentation process used in Champagne itself.
Iron Horse's own tasting notes describe the wine's character in genuinely inviting terms: "raspberry and nutmeg aromas on the nose are followed by juicy stone fruit, lively blood orange, and red berry flavors that are held seamlessly together with refined and delicate bubbles" — concluding simply, "dangerously easy to drink." A separate official tasting note adds "mandarin orange peel" to the nose, with the palate showing "stone fruit, pink grapefruit, Tahitian lime, blood orange, raspberry" carried on "a gentle mouthfeel." The wine is genuinely food-friendly, pairing well with "full-flavored fish, pork chops and chicken," alongside "crispy kale and stir-fried vegetables," or, as Iron Horse itself puts it, "all you really need is dark bittersweet chocolate." Iron Horse's sparkling wines have been served at the White House across seven consecutive presidential administrations, chosen over French Champagne — a genuine point of American sparkling wine pride behind every bottle of Wedding Cuvée.
Iron Horse Vineyards was founded in 1976 by Barry and Audrey Sterling, and remains family-owned today under the estate's second generation, Joy Sterling and her brother Laurence. The 300-acre estate sits in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley AVA, in western Sonoma County, roughly 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean, with 164 acres of vineyard split evenly between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grown on Gold Ridge sandy loam soil. The estate is certified sustainable, with an ongoing commitment to regenerative agricultural practices.
Wedding Cuvée, first produced in 1980, is Iron Horse's interpretation of Blanc de Noirs — predominantly Pinot Noir, sourced entirely from the estate's own vineyards, with a smaller proportion of Chardonnay added for brightness and lift. The wine is produced using traditional méthode champenoise. Iron Horse's sparkling wines have been served at the White House across seven consecutive presidential administrations.
No independently confirmed critic score is available specifically for the 2021 vintage at this time.
Iron Horse Vineyards (official tasting note):
"This is Iron Horse's most romantic bubbly. We describe it as dangerously deliciously easy to drink — fruit forward, dry and elegant, with tiny bubbles and a remarkably long finish. By nose: raspberry, mandarin orange peel and nutmeg. In the mouth: stone fruit, pink grapefruit, Tahitian lime, blood orange, raspberry with a gentle mouthfeel."
Iron Horse Vineyards (official brand description):
"Raspberry and nutmeg aromas on the nose are followed by juicy stone fruit, lively blood orange, and red berry flavors that are held seamlessly together with refined and delicate bubbles. Dangerously easy to drink."
Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Vineyards:
"What I hear far more often — at dinners, at tastings, from people I have just met — are the love stories. They served Wedding Cuvée at their wedding. They opened a bottle when they proposed. They have a bottle they are saving for a milestone anniversary."
Nose
Raspberry and nutmeg lead, joined by mandarin orange peel.
Palate
Juicy stone fruit, pink grapefruit, and Tahitian lime carry the entry, with lively blood orange and red berry flavors held together by refined, delicate bubbles.
Finish
Remarkably long, dry, and elegant, closing with genuine fruit-forward freshness — "dangerously easy to drink," per the winery's own description.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California |
| Style | Blanc de Noirs-Style Sparkling Wine |
| Variety | Predominantly Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay |
| Producer | Iron Horse Vineyards |
| Founded | 1976, by Barry & Audrey Sterling |
| First Vintage of This Wine | 1980 |
| Vineyard | 100% estate grown, Gold Ridge sandy loam soil |
| Farming | Certified sustainable |
| Method | Traditional méthode champenoise |
| Notable Recognition | Served at the White House across 7 consecutive presidential administrations |
| Style / Identity | A genuinely beloved, celebratory sparkling wine — fruit-forward, dry, and elegant |
| Aromas & Flavors | Raspberry, mandarin orange peel, nutmeg, stone fruit, blood orange |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
Your cart is empty
Start shopping
