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 Bonny Doon Vineyards Posted by:  Touchstone
N 36° 57.554 W 122° 02.874
10S E 584760 N 4090773
Bonny Doon Vineyards has a reputation for being on the "bleeding edge" of viticulture, and it's local tasting room reflects this forward thinking winery.
Waymark Code: WM6308
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/24/2009
Views: 6
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Bonny Doon Vineyard is a
singular winery that reflects the independent thinking of the local
population of Santa Cruz. The major force behind the winery, and no
doubt one of the reasons for the success of the winery and the large loyal
following that it enjoys, is its founder Randall Graham. In the
biography section, referring to Graham as "The Rhone Deranger",
the website states:
In this section, you will be able to learn, more about Randall and
what makes him.....oh, how shall we put it, "particular."
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While most wineries were not
wandering too far from the nexus of the usual grape varietels, Graham
experimented with more esoteric grapes, in a search for something unusual,
but still of high quality:
Let us first point out the obvious and suggest that the term
"winemaking" is in fact specious; the winemaker does not
"make" the wine, any more than he (or she) is responsible for
converting the sunlight that strikes the leaves of the grapevines into
sugars and more complex flavor components elaborated within the grapevine. |
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Indeed, Graham takes on the
conventional wisdom, and challenges us to think of viticulture, not as a
glass of red or white, but a journey from grapevine to the table. He
not only talks the talk, but also walks what he preaches. Whether
it's developing Biodynamic viticulture techniques:
Since early 2004, we have practiced strict adherence to viticulture
practices. We plan to apply for Biodynamic certification upon
completing three years of Biodynamic practices. |
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Or shaking up conventional
wisdom over the use of wine corks vs. screw caps:
If you have shrewdly purchased one of our estimable products
recently crafted by the screw-pulous and exacting winemakers of Bonny Doon
Vineyard, you will notice that the bottle is sealed with a screw cap...
While the Stelvin closure may not provide the cork's POP and
circumstances we associate with this potent cultural signifier, there are
a few tree-bark related shortcomings that it elegantly eludes. |
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Besides the elegant tasting
area, with ample seating, there is also an adjacent Cafe that serves
lunch.
The La Cigare Volant cafe a small plate tasting menu to enjoy with
Bonny Doon Wines. Plates range from $15.00 - $18.00 and include
either of three offered wines or a glass.
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Winery Size: Small 500 to 1,499 Cases
Attached vineyard?: no
Tasting Room Available?: yes
Days and hours of operation: 12:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tours Available: no
Cost of Tour: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Phone #: 831 425 4518
Address:
328 Ingalls Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Winery, Wine Cooperative, or Tasting Center's Website: [Web Link]
Types of wines:
Rhone varietals
Best Wine Tasted: La Cigar Volante
Rate the Best Wine Tasted: 
Price per Bottle: 15.00 (listed in local currency)
2nd Best Wine Tasted: Aurora
Rate the 2nd Best Wine Tasted:
Price per Bottle #2: 15.00 (listed in local currency)
Winery Club: Yes
Wine Club Description::
Discounts ranging from 15-25% depending on volume.
Members only Events. Access to early wine releases. Free tasting for member and one guest. Access to exclusive "Wine Counselor".
Charge for tasting?: Not Listed
Overall Comments:: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
All logs must be the result of an actual visit to the winery, wine cooperative, or wine tasting center. Any logs posted otherwise will be deleted. After your tasting list the top 2 wines you liked and rate them on a scale of 1-5 (5 is great) and the price per bottle (see winery listing for an example). Original winery lister is exempt as they listed this information on the original winery listing.
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