2023 UNDER THE RADAR CALIFORNIA WINERIES

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La Mesa Vineyards returns to our Under the Radar California competition for the second year in a row, having won awards last year for Best Red Blend and Top 10 Best Wine Overall (#2) for their 2019 La Mesa Tierra Estate Reserve Red Wine Amador County, and Top 10 Best Value (#9) for their 2021 La Mesa Soleil Estate Reserve.

With nearly 5,000 wineries in California, the competition for consumer preferences, loyalty, and dollars is fierce. Making your Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, or Sauvignon Blanc stand out from a quality or value standpoint is a difficult proposition at best. Maybe that’s a false premise.

La Mesa Vineyards is located in the Sierra foothills of Amador County and focuses on rare Rhône and Italian varietals grown on their estate: Primitivo, Barbera, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Roussanne and the only Gamay in Amador County.

Côme Laguë, La Mesa’s owner and vigneron, is originally from Montréal, Québec and made his way to California as a technology entrepreneur. He grew up with a large extended family, with 10 generations going back to 1690 involved in agriculture in Canada. His grandfather farmed an apple orchard that eventually became Quebec’s pioneering ice wine vineyard, l’Orpailleur. As you might gather Côme is passionate about wine. He has teamed with consulting winemaker Antonia de Heinrich, who has spent the past two decades working in top wineries around the world: Chateau Montelena, Kim Crawford, Hogue, Ravenswood, and Banshee. 

Together, Côme and Antonia took the outside-the-box approach and realized that exciting things were happening in Amador County and decided to focus on varietals that thrive in the high elevation of the Shenandoah Valley AVA. All their varietals are grown from special clones that have been carefully researched to thrive in rich red volcanic granitic soil. With La Mesa's vineyard manager, Jesus Duran, they handcraft in small batches 19 wines on site and roughly 2,000 cases annually.

Visit La Mesa Vineyards and taste in their beautiful modern glass tasting room with gorgeous views of their vineyards and the Sierra foothills. Tasting room manager Christine Martinez oversees inside and tableside outdoor terrace service, specially designed carafe flight tasting, and a live music program that runs April through October under shade sails outdoors on the terrace.

Find out why La Mesa Vineyards’ focus on varietals suited to their terroir—and not typical in California—is worth your loyalty and dollars. 

Purchase their wine and follow them here:

https://lamesavineyards.com

@lamesavineyards

Fuil Wines returns to Under the Radar California after a smashing success last year with owner and winemaker Matt Espiro Jaeger’s inaugural release of the Tábla label. The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon was Best in Class, Top 10 Overall (#3), and Top 10 Best Value (#5). The Tábla Chardonnay was also a Top 10 Value (#4) .

“Wine is the only work of art we can appreciate with all five senses.” This quote greets visitors to Fuil Wines’ website, and while many a chef may wish to add their craft to that quote, it suffices as far as we’re concerned.

Matt is an accomplished actor, whose extensive credits include Yellowstone, and Fuil Wines is his new artistic medium. His first release in June 2022 incldued four varietals sourced from Santa Barbara County AVAs, followed by two new releases in 2023. Their Viognier carries the Fuil label. This is a wine made exclusively by Matt from start to finish. Wine is so often more than just what is in the bottle, it is about the story. It informs us as we see, smell, and taste it. “Fuil” is a Gaelic word meaning blood, kin, nature, and temperament. If you see or meet Matt  you’ll be able to tell from his pale skin, blue eyes, ginger hair, and copious freckles why the Gaelic culture is appropriate to the label. It is in effect Matt’s “wine as art” personified and elevates the enjoyment.

Fuil Wines also has a Tábla label for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. These are wines where Matt partners with other winemakers in a négociant style. They are meant for food, conversation, and laughter around the table with the people we love.

Matt's 2023 releases include the The Tábla Solas Nua Chillable Red Wine and the Tábla  Bán White Blend, fearturing Chardonnay from six different vineyards

Helping out at the winery of a winemaker friend several years ago was the final impetus that led to the launch of Fuil Wines. In Matt’s own words: “Winemaking is labor intensive and challenging work. It’s where you go home wet, dirty, and with a slight headache from making decisions based on what you think a wine will taste like 6-36 months from now. That my hard labor could help produce such an incredible work of art was a revelation, and made what had been until then a pipe dream seem a real possibility.” With the release of Fuil’s first six wines it is now a reality. 

Stop by The Magic Castle in Hollywood,  Bodevi Wine & Espresso, Blair’s Restaurant, Vendome or Liquid wine shops, Ellie’s Tap and Vine in Santa Ynez, or Bottleheads in Kailua, Oahu to taste for yourself. 

Purchase their wines and follow them here:

https://www.fuilwines.com/about

@FuilWines

At a Morton’s Steakhouse wine locker event several years ago we were speaking to their general manager and sommelier, and asked him to introduce us to a wine that was different…off the radar…underrated. He immediately directed us to Michael Speakman, owner, with his wife Joyce, of Westerly Wines. Michael has spent his adult life as a successful entrepreneur but has so thoroughly enjoyed his tenure as head of Westerly Wines that despite all his labor in making deliveries and pouring at events seemingly every night he will tell you that he hasn’t worked a day. 

The Speakmans are also good neighbors and members of the community, as Westerly has developed partnerships with organizations such as Navy Seal Foundation, Granada Theatre, Second Harvest, and Fish For Life.

We spent a lot of time chatting with Michael that evening. He’s engaging, knowledgeable, and yet disarming when talking about wine. When we learned that most of his wine came from Happy Canyon we were intrigued. We were quite familiar with, and had visited, Happy Canyon’s Crown Point, which makes an exquisite—and expensive—Bordeaux blend. Our first sip of Westerly’s Typecast (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Cabernet Franc) was a revelation. It was the equal of Crown Point and less than half the price! We named it our April 2023 wine of the month.

Westerly Wines is exactly the type of winery that we like to highlight and a natural fit for our Under the Radar California competition.

Purchase their high-quality, high-value wine and follow them here:

https://westerlywines.com

@WesterlyWines

Major Jason Mergenov (Ret.) is the owner and winemaker of Los Alamos-based Rockets Red Wines. Jason spent 22 years in the United States Air Force and started taking classes in winemaking while still on active duty. Using the GI Bill, Jason graduated from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, with degrees in winemaking and grape growing. While in school, he worked part-time in tasting rooms and doing internships, learning various aspects of the wine industry.

Jason started Rockets Red Wines in 2018 to share amazing wines and highlight his time in the military while giving back to veterans and the local community. He specializes in small batch, quality rosés and reds, featuring grapes sourced from vineyards throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

In 2021, Jason’s PTSD, that he had been suppressing for 18 years, caused major depression and he hit rock bottom. In May 2022, he attended the Home Base Program Intensive Clinical program, where he received life saving and transformative therapy. Since then, Jason has dedicated his life to raising awareness for mental health and using his voice, wines, and winemaking as a platform to highlight those issues. 

The 2021 Rockets Red Resilience is dedicated to all the veterans struggling with the invisible wounds of war, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Home Base Program. In fact, Rockets Red Wines gives back to the community every year, from veterans in need to small town school students struggling during a pandemic.

We are honored to have Jason and Rockets Red Wines in our 2023 Under the Radar California competition.

Purchase Rockets Red Wines and follow them here:

https://rocketsredwines.com

@Rockets_Red_Wines

St. Avalo makes estate wines from organically grown grapes in the Los Olivos AVA in Santa Barbara County. The wines are pure and have natural and refined tastes.

The philosophy at St. Avalo is rooted in sustainability and organic farming, and as a result they achieve elegance in simplicity. They believe that remaining true to the ancient principles of winemaking yields something special and shows through in their wines.

Led by vineyard manager Felipe Hernandez, St. Avalo’s organic farming reflects the spirit of California and they understand the significance of protecting the region and its environment, including the organisms that depend on it for their survival. Sustainability is an integral element in the growing and making of the wines at St. Avalo, and their respect for the land carries through in every step of the process. The results can be seen in many areas of their operations, including water conservation, energy efficiency, composting, and waste reduction.

It is often believed that drinking wine can be beneficial to one’s overall health. In that vein, St. Avalo’s grapes are grown using no detrimental chemicals or pesticides; their wines are simply natural and pure. 

Winemaker Michael Roth uses classical winemaking principles and his wines are naturally fermented with a small inoculation of cultred yeast to help them along. The wines are fined with a light bentonite for clarity and heat stability. Michael utilizes a sterile filtration process for further clarity and cold stabilization and adds a small amount of sulfur for strength.

Diana & Oliver Ramleth are St. Avalo’s business managers, rounding out a great team with a singular purpose: to make the best pure and natural wines. 

We encourage you to try for yourself. 

Purchase St. Avalo wine and follow them here:

https://www.stavalo.com

@stavalowine

The second wine venture from community-minded entrepreneur Michael Speakman, owner of Westerly Wines, is 13 Stripes Winery.

At 13 Stripes Winery they believe that great wine starts with great grapes.

California is blessed with some of the premiere wine growing regions in the world. From Napa Valley to the Sta. Rita Hills, they source their grapes from the finest vineyards in the state.

By forging lasting relationships with award-winning winemakers who truly love the entire winemaking process, they produce wines you'll love to drink. Try their Folds of Honor Chardonnay, Fight With Kash Pinot Noir, or Cancelled Cabernet Sauvignon and see for yourself.

13 Stripes Winery is committed to creating wines that will grace any event at an incredible value - all while giving back to those who sacrifice in keeping all of us safe. They donate money from the sale of every bottle to the Navy Seal Foundation, the Folds of Honor Foundation, and more.

As proud Americans we are proud to have 13 Stripes Winery participate in our 2023 Under the Radar California competition.

Learn more about 13 Stripes Winery, follow them, and purchase their wine here:

https://13stripeswinery.com

@13stripeswine

Casey Stringer was a highschooler from Wisconsin traveling to California with his parents to visit colleges in the Bay area. Due to an unfortunate passing of a distant relative who they had planned to visit during the trip, they had a gap in their schedule. They decided to head to the Napa Valley, a place that they had all certainly heard about, but knew little about. He and his father Chip were taken with Napa’s laid-back lifestyle, vineyard filled landscapes and the wines. Casey knew then that his path in life will be with wine. Back at home in Wisconsin with those memories still fresh, Casey picked up a job at a local wine shop to begin learning all he could while Chip began collecting wines both from Napa and around the world.

Casey did end up going to college in California, but in Santa Barbara where he studied photography. He immediately got a job as a cellar hand at a local winery where he soon realized that he wanted to spend his time in the cellar and vineyards and not in photography school. Throughout his twenties, Casey traveled both near and abroad seeking different experiences in winemaking. He worked at Robert Sinskey Vineyards in Napa, Archery Summit in Oregon and a few wineries in Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, where he attended school for a formal winemaking education. Upon returning to California, Casey worked in the cellar at the esteemed Santa Ynez cult winery Jonata.

While visiting his family in Wisconsin he met a girl, and as the story goes, decided to stay put and get married. While this seemed like a detour in his winemaking journey, the wine bug was still firmly planted. Casey reached out to his California connections and began shipping premium West coast fruit to Wisconsin and making what was arguably Wisconsin’s best-ever wine produced in a garage, but as he says, that wasn’t a sustainable business model. So it was back to the vines in California with his wife, Brooke, and now their two young boys in tow.

Founded in 2016, Stringer Cellars, operated by Casey and Brooke, now make their wines at Grand Cru Custom Crush in the heart of Sonoma County. Their winemaking philosophy is simple: Use the finest grapes they can find from the best vineyard sites in California to make small lot wines you will not soon forget. Casey employs minimalist winemaking techniques, allowing the fruit and individual vineyards to shine through in each bottle.

Contact Stringer Cellars to purchase wine and to book a unique tasting experience with Casey at their shared state-of-the-art winery in Windsor, California. Their guests taste through multiple different varietals made from some of the best vineyards throughout California. Purchase and book here:

https://www.stringercellars.com

@stringer_cellars

In early December 2022, the night before our board conducted its initial tasting for the Idaho Wine Experience, we were invited to cover a wine tasting event at the Huntington Club. Of the 50 or so wineries pouring that night, two of them made a distinct impression on us. One of them was Vinos Unidos (the other, Prince Vineyards, is in this competition as well). We met Bob Jauregui, one of the founding partners, and he poured us their 100% Rosé of Pinot Noir. It was astonishing. We wrote about it on Instagram the next day and declared Vinos Unidos a new star in the wine galaxy, even though it was the only wine of theirs we tasted. 

Leaving the event that night we realized we had to try their entire portfolio. Bob contacted us the next day to thank us for our post and offered a private tasting for our board. What a treat. He led us through seven labels made by founding partner and winemaker Gerry Martinez—all of them very good. There are just a few wineries where we like everything they make right out of the bottle: Chalk Hill and Corner 103 quickly come to mind. Vinos Unidos joins that list. 

On their website there is a beautiful statement of their legacy, as one of the few Hispanic vintners in Napa Valley and Sonoma:

“Vinos Unidos was born from our desire to celebrate our parents’ humble roots and dreams. 

You see, Vinos Unidos is not just a name.

It’s a sentiment. 

It communicates the strong bond we, the founders, have with each other. 

It reflects the connection of our ancestors with the earth. 

Ultimately, it manifests itself in the respect and dedication we pour into every drop of wine we produce. 

Vinos Unidos is the living testament of a group of people who never forgot their roots, and had a very clear purpose: To produce award-winning, top-tier wine, in small batches, that is affordable to all.

Here’s to our parents.

Here’s to our friends and families.

Here’s to darn good vino!”

If you live in Orange County contact Bob for a private tasting for your group. Find out for yourself why their expertly-crafted, small-production wines have won a slew of medals and doubled production each year.

You can learn more about Vinos Unidos, purchase their wine, and follow them here:

https://vinosunidos.com

@vinosunidos

Sonoma Portworks is the only winery in Sonoma County that specializes in producing award-winning ports and after-dinner wines. Port is a sweet fortified wine made by stopping the fermenting of grape juice at around 5%-9% by adding a grape spirit (aguardente) that kills the yeast and yields a stable wine of around 19%-22% ABV. The mission of Sonoma Portworks is to provide their guests with unique and balanced after-dinner wines that are not too sweet or too high in alcohol so that the charactersistics of the grape varietal come through.

Intrigued by the combination of chocolate and wine, in 1994 Bill Reading added a dash of dark chocolate essence to a glass of port, and Sonoma Portworks was born. That happy combination Bill discovered is now their flagship DECO. A year later, Bill created DUET, an after-dinner sherry with essences of natural hazelnut. 

Bill has now passed down the winemaking to Deneice Knotts, his right hand for over 20 years. Today, Sonoma Portworks offers nine different ports and sherries made from sustainably-grown grapes purchased from family-owned vineyards. They also produce other artisanal products like liqueur and their Sonomic Almost Vinegar, which is like balsamic vinegar, only better.

Here’s what a recent guest wrote on Trip Advisor:

“If you are not a fan of traditional tawny port, don't be discouraged. [They] offer unusual [Gewurztraminer] (light and fruity) and Rosé (floral and peppery) ports which are lovely for summertime sipping.”

Visit them at their tasting room and winery in the historic Foundry Wharf in downtown Petaluma, California. Club members enjoy discounts on each shipment and get the privilege of a complimentary tasting for up to four people.

Purchase their port and other artisanal products and follow them here:

https://portworks.com

@sonomaportworks

Born with a passion to cultivate the Earth, and fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit, vintner, George M. Prince established Prince Vineyards in 2015.

At age 13, George learned the principles of growing and harvesting alfalfa and other perennial crops while working on his family-owned cattle ranch in Central California. He brought his knowledge to Napa Valley, with the clear intent of producing one of the valley’s most distinctive and enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon.

Their “Estate Grown” Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in one of the most celebrated growing climates in Napa Valley. The vineyard is located within the narrowest part of St. Helena, approximately 300 feet above the valley floor. Here at the foothills of Spring Mountain, hot days and cool nights allow the vines to thrive. The steep and rugged east-facing hillside, treasured aquifer-sourced well water, and mineral rich soil, adds complexity and structure to their wine.

St. Helena is also the birthplace of their second vineyard. Located just east of the Mayacamas Mountains, it boasts an amazing terroir. The very fertile level growing terrain allows them to showcase their elegant and well-balanced wine.

Their Calistoga vineyard is nestled between the Napa River and Cyrus Creek, just north of their St. Helena Estate. Here their vines draw distinctive characteristics from the gravelly, well-drained, alluvial soil that has accumulated over centuries. The result is a full-bodied wine that delivers a complex nose and velvety layering to the palate.

All Prince Vineyards’ fruit is hand farmed, using the most delicate of techniques. They patiently age the wine in French oak barrels sourced from the top Bordeaux cooperages. As a result, their wines pair beautifully with a variety of cuisine.

Thier Calistoga vineyard is nestled between the Napa River and Cyrus Creek, just north of their St. Helena Estate. Here their vines draw distinctive characteristics from the gravelly, well-drained, alluvial soil that has accumulated over centuries. The result is a full-bodied wine that delivers a complex nose and velvety layeriing to the palate.

 All Prince Vineyards’ fruit is hand farmed, using the most delicate of techniques. They patiently age the wine in French oak barrels sourced from the top Bordeaux cooperages. As a result, their wines pair beautifully with a variety of cuisine.

Along with Vinos Unidos, Prince Vineyards is the second producer that made an impression on us at the Huntington Club event in December 2022.  We encourage you to purchase their wine and find out for yourself:

https://princevineyards.com

@princevineyardsnapa 

In 2023, Tensley Wines celebrates its 25th anniversary as a critically acclaimed winery best known for producing outstanding single vineyard Syrah. Tensley has earned over 200 scores of 90+ and routinely makes Wine Spectator’s Top 100 annual list. In fact, at 6,500 cases per year, Tensley is the model for success that can be achieved by a small-production, family-owned winery.

Founder and winemaker Joey Tensley has been in the industry since he was 21, working various jobs at wineries throughout Santa Barbara County until launching Tensley Wines in 1998 with his first 100 cases. Joey is now a star in the winemaking galaxy but still is hands on in making the wine and operating the business. We’ve seen him in the tasting room every time we’ve visited.

Tensley’s philosophy has always been to source the best fruit possible and let the vineyard speak for itself. With their own Colson Canyon Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley, Joey produces some of the finest vineyard-designated Syrah anywhere. In fact, in 2020 it was Peninsula Underground’s wine of the year.

Visit their tasting room in Los Olivos or their new tasting room in Brentwood Garden Plaza and see why Tensley Wines has been drawing rave reviews for more than two decades.

What is perhaps most impressive is that such high-quality wine can purchased at such reasonable prices. Consumers definitely get value from Tensley, whether in joining their wine club or just buying directly. We encourage you to purchase their wine and follow them here:

https://tensleywines.com

@tensleywines  

The Big Red Monster (a metaphor for Cabernet Sauvignon) is a Paso Robles-based brand founded in 2005 and relaunched by WarRoom Cellars in 2019. Their flagship wine, Slay It Cabernet Sauvignon, is a multi-vintage (2018, 2018, 2019) revelation and blends in 19% Petite Sirah and 6% Petit Verdot.

As stated on their website:

“All of the fruit was gently destemmed and crushed, then inoculated. Each fermentation was pumped-over twice daily. Extended maceration for bigger extraction upward of 28 days.

Clocking in at 15% abv, rugged Paso possesses the largest diurnal temperature difference of all California wine-growing regions. Days can reach over 100 degrees and nights can be in the low 30s.

Extreme heat forges fruit with dark, bold, monstrously brooding flavors and freezing nights retain a juicy, racing acidity.”

The striking artwork on the bottle is Saint George slaying the dragon, powerfully evoking a symbol of faith triumphing over evil.

This dynamic, extracted wine, is sure to be a favorite of those who prefer their wines to be bold and edgy, and at less than $20, is an insanely great value.

Learn more about The Big Red Monster and follow them here:

https://bigredmonsterwines.com

@bigredmonsterwine 

Lapis Luna Wines was established in 1999 and has been on a journey to produce exceptional California wines that deliver fresh and vibrant fruit, balanced with lively acidity and good structure, creating true-to-varietal expressions that can be enjoyed every night of the week.

Winemaker Nicole Walsh is a star, with 23 vintages under her belt, an abundance of 90 plus scores, and is a respected leader in the Women Owned Minority Movement. Her releases at Lapis Luna have pushed conventional winemaking limits to produce outstanding wines from undiscovered California vineyards.

Lapis Luna (Latin for “Stone and Moon”) Wines’ stunning labels originated with 400-year-old copperplate engravings from the early 1600s, published by the poet Herman Hugo. The labels introduce the drinker to “the faceless hero,” a timeless story of struggle, aspiration, and redemption. The hero is depicted striving to reach their goal, to connect with the moon and looking to it for inspiration, just as Lapis Luna does when creating their wines.

Reach for the Moon, Lapis Luna’s motto, imparts the quality of turning everyday moments into joyful gifts and creating objects of beauty that bear the mystery of life’s never-ending journey.

Fans of flavorful California wines will love their Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Red Blend, and more from the premier North Coast and Lodi growing regions. Pick up a case for the summer. The price points are incredibly reasonable, the wines are fantastic, and the artwork is striking. What’s not to love?

Purchase Lapis Luna Wines and follow them here:

https://lapislunawines.com

@lapislunawines 

Fluent Wine Company makes premium, small-batch Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé from the finest vineyards in Napa and Sonoma Counties. They hand-harvest each cluster of fruit, press with minimal mechanical influence, preserve the wine in separate small French oak barrels until bottling, and then age it until it arranges itself to express its true interpretation.

The great care they put into every bottle has met with immediate critical acclaim. The Robb Report Named Fluent Wine Company, and the inaugural vintage of their Glass Cat Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley (2019), as one of five winemakers to watch in 2022.

Proprietor Rob Harrison’s passion for wine began as a boy pulling wine bottles out of the cupboard for family dinners and reading the back label because he was interested in the story of the vineyard, the winery, and the people involved with the project. World travel and employment in the luxury hospitality field during college stoked the fire for Rob to one day develop his own expression of time through a glass of wine.

In his late 20s, Rob moved to the Napa Valley and planted roots. He was hired at renowned Meadowood Napa Valley and was fortunate to meet many people whom he considered mentors. One of the virtues he developed and carries with him now is the idea that quality is something you must touch, feel, and experience. Rob now will pickup handfuls of loamy and rocky soil while crouched beneath the vines and smell the earth to fully understand what it will offer the vine. He will then taste the fruit in anticipation of harvest to determine if it is ready.

Winemaker Joe Harden grew up on a 30-acre vineyard in Northern California where he was introduced to the farming side of wine making at a young age. A gifted athlete, he accepted a scholarship from the University of Notre Dame to play basketball. Later, he played for the University of California at Davis and was lured by their renowned wine program.

After graduating from Davis, Joe was drafted by the Golden State Warriors G-League team and later played for several years in Australia before an internship for Mondavi Winery brought him back to the United States. At Mondavi, he began pulling hoses and filling tanks in the cellar and over time became an oenologist who was placed in charge of all of Mondavi’s Bordeaux-style luxury wines. It was while working at Mondavi that Joe met Rob through a colleague at Meadowood.

This team, both with refined palates and detailed acumen, is sure to create a wine that you will enjoy for years to elevate your celebrations and life experiences.

Purchase their wine and follow them here:

https://fluentwine.com

@fluentwines

Based in Santa Cruz, heartland of New Age thinking, dreaming, and deferred transition to “adulthood,” Bonny Doon Vineyard has a not so surprising history of idealism and innovation. Founded in the bucolic hamlet of Bonny Doon in 1983 by Randall Grahm, Bonny Doon Vineyard is known for its strikingly original wines made from lesser-known (though no less “noble”) grape varieties, the so-called vinous Ugly Ducklings.

Bonny Doon Vineyard made its mark on the world of wine with pioneering work in the exploration of Rhône varieties, innovative production techniques, and very imaginative marketing that has at times, truth be told, been too clever by half.

Since the adoption of biodynamic farming practices in 2004 and in 2006, the radical slimming down of both product portfolio and overall case production (with a concomitant greater degree of focus and attention to detail), the wines of Bonny Doon Vineyard have evinced a more complex expression of varietal character, a more noticeable sense of organization, and a greater degree of life-force. They invite you to share in their passion.

Bonny Doon Vineyard strives to make wines in a more or less old-fangled, unaffected manner, lacking flashy adornment, vinous special FX, unnatural levels of ripeness, and other trappings of so-called winemaking progress. Theit wines are moderate in alcohol, discreet in tannin extraction, fermented with indigenous yeast, and generally enjoy only nodding acquaintance with Quercus alba. They seek to produce wines that are profoundly organized, endowed with life force or the ability to tolerate oxidative challenge. Wines like this cannot precisely be made—rather, they must be translations of the vineyard’s own vitality.

Their Cigare line of wines are a complex and relatively functional family unit inspired by the wines traditionally produced in the Rhône Valley of Southern France; Le Cigare Volant and its vinous confrères pay homage not only to the wines of the celebrated appellation Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but to all forays into the world of the magical and unknown.

Bonny Doon evinces both style and substance; the labels on the bottles are as striking as the wines inside. They provide a great conversation starter when you serve them as you entertain this summer.

Learn more about Bonny Doon Vineyard, purchase wine, and follow them here:

https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com

@bonnydoonvineyard