Tony Lombardi was born into a family of small business owners, and grew up in Sonoma County. His first job in the wine business came in 1998 when he joined the hospitality team at Clos Du Bois Winery, located in Geyserville, California.
From 2001 to 2013, Lombardi held senior leadership positions in marketing, public relations, and sales for such companies as Allied Domecq Wines, Beam Wine Estates, J Vineyards & Winery, Ascentia Wine Estates, and Kosta Browne Winery.
In partnership with his wife Christine, Lombardi founded Lombardi Wines in 2013 with a barrel of Chardonnay and a barrel of Pinot Noir. He describes himself as a storyteller/connector at heart, and loves to tell the unique and interesting personal stories of Sonoma and Napa wineries and winemakers, and connect them and their wines to people across the country. As part of that effort, he was encouraged to take the leap of faith in creating his own label from his former employers Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. They told him, “We did it, so should you!”
Lombardi hired Cabell Coursey in 2015 to be his winemaker and viticulturist/grower relations manager after he had held those jobs for three years at Kosta Browne. Coursey also toils at his own winery, Coursey Graves. Prior to those efforts, he was the winemaker with Andy Smith at Dumol. Well traveled, he has made wines all over the world, including Burgundy, New Zealand, Oregon, and California. Continue reading “Lombardi Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2021”
The Raymond name has been associated with Napa valley since the year Prohibition ended. The Raymond family arrived in Napa Valley in 1933. Roy Raymond married into the Beringer family in 1936. He worked as winemaker for Beringer from 1933 to 1970. The following year, he and his two sons Walter and Roy Jr set out on their own with a 90-acre estate property in Rutherford. They released their first commercial wine under the Raymond Vineyards label in 1974. The estate now comprises 300 acres in Rutherford, St. Helena, and Jameson Canyon. All are are certified organic and biodynamic. The winery is also operated on 100% solar power.
In 1989, Kirin Holdings purchased the winery, with the Raymond family still managing the property and production.
The Search For The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly – The Glass of Bubbly Awards 2025
In just a few months time, international wine judges will gather together in London with one common goal, to discover The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly for 2025.
Entries will be sent in from all over the world, both new and old, traditional, charmat and unique, canned and bottled, with and without alcohol, any bubbly could win. On top of Gold, Silver & Bronze medals, there are 21 Trophies to be awarded, including the much-loved, consumer-friendly Category Trophies; the ever more important Sustainability Trophy in Partnership with Slow Food UK; and of course, the best of them all, The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Trophy, in partnership with Carynx.
This year, there is an incredible vast array of 2025 Award Partners who we’ve enlisted to help search for the World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly for 2025, including a Sommelier School, Wine Shops, PR Agencies, International Wine Journalists and more.
Champagne Collectors
Clerissa – Wine Consultancy + PR Agency
Sommelier School
Museum Wines
Branding 4 Wine
Grape Experiences
The World’s First True Vinosopher
Winervana
EcoSIP
The Online Wine Tasting Club
Champagneplz.com
Harrington Blue & Partners/Harrington Verve
Wine Desinfluencer
Gleam Connections
Wharf Distillery
Wine Lovers Italy
The Northern Wine Guy
WineHo
Between the Wines
Kikico
Anne-Wies.NL
Badagoni
Drinks Journey
If you’d like to enter any of your sparkling wines into the Glass of Bubbly Awards this year, click here on the Awards Page and fill out the entry form. Entries are open from now until the 31 August 2025.
Merry Edwards Winery, founded in 1997, is a well-known producer in California’s Russian River Valley. The winery was established by Merry Edwards, one of California’s first female winemakers, who began her winemaking career in 1970 with her amateur label, Merry Vintners, while pursuing a degree in physiology at UC Berkeley. She later earned a master’s degree in food science with an emphasis in enology from UC Davis. During her time there, she conducted groundbreaking research on lead contamination in wine, leading to the industry’s move away from lead-based capsules.
In 1974, Edwards became the winemaker at Mount Eden Vineyards. There, she curated Pinot Noir cuttings that were later propagated as UCD clone 37, also known as the “Merry Edwards selection,” which became widely planted in California.
By 1977, she was the founding winemaker at Matanzas Creek Winery in Sonoma County, where she further honed her expertise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Her commitment to clonal research and site-specific viticulture helped elevate the reputation of Russian River Valley wines.
Photo: Lisa K.
She launched her own label in 1997, alongside her husband, Ken Coopersmith. The flagship Meredith Estate Vineyard was planted in 1998, followed by Klopp Ranch in 1999, the Coopersmith Vineyard in 2001. Georganne Vineyard in 2006, Richaven Vineyard in 2012, and finally Warren’s Hill Vineyard in 2015. The winery’s first release was a 2,250-case bottling of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, marking its first single-vineyard offering.
In 2006-2007, a state-of-the-art winery and tasting room were constructed on the Coopersmith property, solidifying the winery’s presence in Sebastopol, California. In 2018, Edwards appointed Heidi von der Mehden as her successor, marking the first time another winemaker held that position at the winery. Von der Mehden, a Sonoma County native with a background in chemistry and winemaking, had worked closely with Edwards since 2015. The following year, in 2019, Merry Edwards Winery, including the brand, inventory, winery, tasting room, and 79 acres of vineyards, was acquired by Louis Roederer Champagne House (one of my favorites), a French producer known for its commitment to quality that also has a large California operation named Roederer Estate. Edwards remained involved during the transition, ensuring the winery’s values and standards were upheld.
Under von der Mehden’s leadership following Edward’s retirement in 2020, the winery has embraced sustainable practices, including organic farming at the Meredith Estate Vineyard. Innovations such as the introduction of a sparkling wine, the 2017 Merry Edwards Cuvee Eclipse, showcase the winery’s dedication to excellence and adaptation in the face of climate challenges.
Merry Edwards’ contributions to the wine industry have been widely recognized. She was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame in 2013, joining a select group of women honored for their impact on winemaking. Her advocacy for women in the industry and her commitment to quality have left an indelible mark on American viticulture.
Today, Merry Edwards Winery is a Certified California Sustainable Winery, producing a range of wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, with a focus on single-vineyard expressions from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2023
First introduced in 2001, this wine presents as a very pale yellow in the glass. The nose features delicate citrus notes, with subtle hints of lemon curd and lime zest. On the palate, it is an intense classic Sauvignon Blanc, dominated by ruby red grapefruit, along with honeysuckle, ripe melon, and just a little bit of grassiness. These are followed by a burst of crisp, refreshing acidity. The ABV is 14%.
Beau Vigne, pronounced “bo-veenya” and meaning “beautiful vineyard” in French, is a boutique winery located in Napa Valley, California. Founded in 1999 by Napa native Ed Snider and his wife Trish, with its first vintage release in 2002, the winery has established a reputation for producing exceptional wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Snider family’s connection to Napa Valley dates back to 1913 when Ed’s grandfather, Martin Garzoli, a Swiss-Italian immigrant, settled in the region. Garzoli was involved in winemaking and ranching in the Carneros area, laying the foundation for the family’s future in viticulture.
Beau Vigne’s estate vineyard, known as Stags Ridge, is situated within the Atlas Peak AVA, accessible via Soda Canyon Road. This high-elevation site, approximately 1,400 feet above Napa Valley, is characterized by volcanic soils, contributing to the distinctive qualities of their wines.
In its early years, Beau Vigne collaborated with notable winemakers to craft its wines. Dave Phinney, the founding winemaker, aimed to create red wines that could compete with the world’s finest. [Phinney went on to fame and fortune with his Orin Swift Wine Company and the overrated The Prisoner.] This vision was furthered by winemaker Kirk Venge, who joined in 2008 and led the winery to achieve a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
Eric and Amy Gale are the owners and sole full-time employees of Anchored Roots, Door County, Wisconsin’s newest winery, founded in 2020.
The couple make an ideal front-of-house/back-of-house duo. Amy grew up in Milwaukee, with hospitality at the forefront of her career path. Her initial focus was event planning, from non-profit fundraisers and catering, to corporate events and weddings. This was followed by experience in tasting room management at Airfield Estates in Prosser, Washington.
Eric was born and raised in Luxemburg, Wisconsin. Perhaps predictably, while he was growing up he worked summers at a neighbor’s 60-head dairy farm. However, his academic bent led him to a Bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. He then pursued a Masters in Viticulture at Washington State University. After graduation, he landed a job at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington state’s oldest winery. His primary responsibility was overseeing the Cold Creek vineyard, Ste. Michelle’s first, originally planted in 1972.
Lanson Le Rosé is a signature rosé Champagne from Maison Lanson, one of the oldest Champagne houses in France. Lanson’s tradition of crafting high-quality rosé Champagne dates back over a century, making it one of the pioneers in this category.
Lanson was founded in 1760 in Reims, France, by François Delamotte, making it the sixth oldest Champagne house, initially operating under the name Maison Delamotte.
In 1798, Nicolas-Louis Delamotte, son of François, took over and partnered with Jean-Baptiste Lanson, a friend of the family.
In 1837, the company was renamed Lanson, Père et Fils to honor Jean-Baptiste Lanson’s contribution. That same year, Maison Lanson adopted the Maltese Cross as its emblem, in tribute to the son of the house’s founder, a member of the Hospitaller Order of Malta.
The Royal Warrant
The first Lanson Rosé was created in 1833. On December 4, 1900, Maison Lanson received the Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria, the prestigious patent awarded by the British monarch to suppliers to the Royal Court of England. Lanson was one of the first Champagne houses to be awarded this distinction, and continues to hold it today. The house maintains a strong focus on traditional methods, avoiding malolactic fermentation, which preserves the Champagne’s fresh and crisp style.
Lanson was also the first Champagne house to introduce the concept of “brut” Champagne, a drier style of sparkling wine.
The brand survived World Wars I and II, despite challenges such as vineyard destruction and economic downturns.
In 1972, Lanson introduced its prestigious “Noble Cuvée”, a high-end vintage Champagne. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Lanson continued its global expansion, particularly in the United States and Asia. In 1990, Lanson was acquired by the Groupe Marne et Champagne. In 1996, the brand was sold to Boizel Chanoine Champagne Group (BCC), now known as Lanson-BCC Group, which revitalized the house while maintaining its heritage. Continue reading “Lanson Le Rosé NV”
Nestled along the Via Emilia, a historic trade route that winds through the heart of Emilia-Romagna, the Medici family’s journey into winemaking began in 1890. Remigio Medici, a successful tavern owner, was determined to make the most of the family’s vineyards, which stretched from the Via Emilia to the foothills of the Enza valley. What started as a small winery soon became a thriving family business.
Remigio’s son, Ermete, took the reins of the business and quickly expanded it. Ermete’s sons, Valter and Giorgio, carried the torch forward and were pivotal in broadening the winery’s reach, especially through exports, thus marking the start of the family’s international presence.
By the 1970s, Lambrusco, an iconic sparkling red wine from the Emilia-Romagna region, was experiencing a boom in the United States. Alongside Chianti, Lambrusco was one of the first Italian wines to be exported abroad, gaining widespread popularity.
Louis Roederer [Road-ur-ur], a distinguished champagne producer situated in Reims, France, traces its origins back to 1776, when it began as Dubois Père & Fils. While its early days were marked by still wine production, the focus soon evolved to embrace the art of crafting fine champagnes. The business underwent a transformation under the stewardship of Louis Roederer in 1833 when he not only inherited but also renamed the company for himself. He boldly ventured into international markets, focusing particularly on Russia. This endeavor gained him immense recognition, including from Tsar Nicolas II, who appointed Louis Roederer as the official wine provider to the Imperial Court of Russia.
Created in 1876, the wine made for Nicolas’ grandfather, Alexander II, was the first Cuvée de Prestige (Prestige Cuvée) of Champagne and is called Cristal, referring to the unusual clear glass of the bottle. The Tsar had pointed out to his sommelier that the design of a standard champagne bottle made the beautiful color and effervescence of champagne invisible to the eye. He therefore instructed Roederer that his personal cuvée be served in bottles made of transparent crystal glass with a flat bottom (allegedly to foil the insertion of explosives in the indentation by would-be assassins) to remedy this defect. Thus was Cristal born, and the first notion of a premium cuvée. For more than a century, the appearance of the patented Cristal bottle has remained unchanged. After the fall of the Russian monarchy in 1917, Roederer decided to continue producing Cristal and to market it internationally, and it remains one of the world’s most sought-after champagnes in the world.
Chuck Hope and his wife Marlyn came to Paso Robles in California’s Central Coast in 1978 to farm, and eventually to start what would become Hope Family Wines. This early arrival put them on the forefront of the Central Coast becoming a world-class viticultural region. Initially, the Hopes planted apples and grapes in this then sparsely-populated area. Seeing the property’s potential for grape growing, Hope eventually replanted the apple orchards with grapes.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Hope family grew grapes for various wine producers. In the 1980s, the Wagner family, owners of Napa Valley’s Caymus Vineyards, turned to the Hope family to source Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for their Liberty School label. Thus began a long-lasting partnership between the two families.
Since that beginning, in Paso Robles specifically and throughout the region generally, Hope Family Wines has built long-standing relationships with over 50 growers. They coordinate with farmers to carefully limit crop yields to ensure concentrated flavors.
In 1996,the Hopes acquired Liberty School from the Wagners. Also in 1996, they launched Treana Winery with Chris Phelps serving as winemaker. Continue reading “Austin Hope Rhone Blend 2021”
Texas isn’t the first place that comes to mind when most people think about wine, especially “serious” high-quality wine. And yet, Texas is fifth in the nation in both wine production and consumption. The history of grape growing in the state goes back at least to the 1660s, when Franciscan monks planted Mission grapes adjacent to their missions.* Today, Texas is home to a number of American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs; the two most prominent are the Texas High Plains AVA around Lubbock in northwestern Texas, and the Texas Hill Country AVA in central Texas west of Austin.
In his 20s, Texas native Randy Hester left a frustrating career in Psychology and adolescent mental health, and began to search for his next path in life. His first real exposure to the world of wine came during his years in restaurant management, where he discovered he had a naturally talented palate. Randy eventually moved into wine sales and distribution where he became intrigued with winemaking, and felt compelled to create his own. Continue reading “C.L. Butaud Desert Willow Mourvèdre 2021”
Charles Hopper first planted what is now known as the Missouri Hopper Vineyard (named for his daughter rather than the state) in 1873 in what is now Oakville, California. The parcel for this vineyard was purchased from George Yount. Now owned by the Beckstoffer family, a part of the original Missouri Hopper vineyard is used to produce Ulysses, a wine from Christian Moueix, a French wine maker famous for Petrus in France and Dominus in the U.S., as well as several other top wines from the region today.
Christian Moueix is one of the few winemakers to produce classic wines in both the old and new worlds, and he is also one of the most well-known. The son of Jean-Pierre Moueix, a Bordeaux wine merchant, he was born in Libourne, France in 1946. After completing his agricultural engineering studies in Paris and graduate studies in viticulture and enology at the University of California at Davis in 1968-69, he joined his father’s company in 1970 to manage the family vineyards, and in 1991 became its president. He oversaw the legendary Chateau Petrus for 38 years, ending with the 2008 vintage. Continue reading “Ulysses 2020”
Texas isn’t the first place that comes to mind when most people think about wine, especially “serious” high-quality wine. And yet, Texas is fifth in the nation in both wine production and consumption. The history of grape growing in the state goes back at least to the 1660s, when Franciscan monks planted Mission grapes adjacent to their missions.* Today, Texas is home to a number of American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs; the two most prominent are the Texas High Plains AVA around Lubbock in northwestern Texas, and the Texas Hill Country AVA in central Texas west of Austin.
In his 20s, Texas native Randy Hester left a frustrating career in Psychology and adolescent mental health, and began to search for his next path in life. His first real exposure to the world of wine came during his years in restaurant management, where he discovered he had a naturally talented palate. Randy eventually moved into wine sales and distribution where he became intrigued with winemaking, and felt compelled to create his own. Continue reading “C.L. Butaud Farmhouse Tempranillo 2021”
Texas isn’t the first place that comes to mind when most people think about wine, especially “serious” high-quality wine. And yet, Texas is fifth in the nation in both wine production and consumption. The history of grape growing in the state goes back at least to the 1660s, when Franciscan monks planted Mission grapes adjacent to their missions.* Today, Texas is home to a number of American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs; the two most prominent are the Texas High Plains AVA around Lubbock in northwestern Texas, and the Texas Hill Country AVA in central Texas west of Austin.
In his 20s, Texas native Randy Hester left a frustrating career in Psychology and adolescent mental health, and began to search for his next path in life. His first real exposure to the world of wine came during his years in restaurant management, where he discovered he had a naturally talented palate. Randy eventually moved into wine sales and distribution where he became intrigued with winemaking, and felt compelled to create his own. Continue reading “C.L. Butaud Cease & Desist Red Wine Blend 2021”
Texas isn’t the first place that comes to mind when most people think about wine, especially “serious” high-quality wine. And yet, Texas is fifth in the nation in both wine production and consumption. The history of grape growing in the state goes back at least to the 1660s, when Franciscan monks planted Mission grapes adjacent to their missions.* Today, Texas is home to a number of American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs; the two most prominent are the Texas High Plains AVA around Lubbock in northwestern Texas, and the Texas Hill Country AVA in central Texas west of Austin.
In his 20s, Texas native Randy Hester left a frustrating career in Psychology and adolescent mental health, and began to search for his next path in life. His first real exposure to the world of wine came during his years in restaurant management, where he discovered he had a naturally talented palate. Randy eventually moved into wine sales and distribution where he became intrigued with winemaking, and felt compelled to create his own. Continue reading “C.L. Butaud Blanc de Noir 2023”
The Search For The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly – The Glass of Bubbly Awards 2025
