If you're not doon planning out your most magical holiday break, why don't you take a trip and head doon to Boon Doon Winery? Trust me, this little tasting room located on the Pacific Coast Highway is not only scenic and beautiful, but will also tempt you with an array of gift-worthy wines-- your loved ones will thank you later! My mother and I made sure to stop by for a sip or two on our way down to Carmel By-The-Sea. The original tasting room is located in downtown Santa Cruz, but I found this newer coastal option to exceed my expectations. We were immediately greeted by a very enthusiastic and sweet yellow lab. It might just be my love of all animals, but I've always found my tasting enjoyment enormously improved when there's a cutie to pet. Bonny Doon was founded by Randall Graham, known to many as the father of the Rhône Rangers. He realized in the early 1980's that central California worked very well with Rhône varietals, and decided to give it a go. The New World wine regions (which includes America) often model themselves after Old World wine regions (which include most of Europe). Rhône is a region in France that has large amounts of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre planted as red grapes. When blended, they are casually referred to as a GSM blend. For whites, the Rhône includes large amounts of Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Thanks in large part to Randall Graham, we now know that these varietals (types of grapes) end up thriving in central California, and in many regions all over California. His winery showcases his many successful wines using both Rhône varietals, and others. My mom and I have always been big fans of Bonny Doon, and upon arriving were promptly spoiled and given full liberty with the wine list. What a treat!!! It constantly amazes me how generous and kind people in the hospitality/wine industry are to each other. As a result, we ended up relaxing and sipping for nearly 2 1/2 hours! The lovely ladies working the tasting room didn't seem to mind, and we got to kill some time during rush hour. Now go pour yourself a splash of something tasty on hand, and enjoy the pics (especially the quirky and creative label art)! I've linked each picture with where you can grab a bottle of your own. To start, sparkling pear cider: NV Winter Nélis Sparkling Perry 2012 Albariño (I couldn't find this bottle on their website, so I'm guessing they've sold out at their winery. I've linked to where their allocation might still be available.) 2012 Chardonnay/Pinot Gris blend "Spanish Springs" One of my mom's longterm favorite wines is Bonny Doon's Le Cigare Volant. As a result, it was one of the first wines I ever tried while growing up. Le Cigare Volant ("The Flying Cigar") was named after an actual law passed in 1954 in the Rhône that forbade UFO's to land in the vineyards. Apparently, burn marks in strange circular shapes (similar to a large cigar burn mark) kept appearing on the French vineyards. Curiously, after the passing of the law, the marks mysteriously stopped appearing. To pay homage to this quirky part of Rhône history, Bonny Doon's 'Le Cigare Volant' labels feature a flying cigar in the process of beaming up French winemakers. Additionally, the screw tops (all of the winery's bottles are under screw top) for this label show a little alien head. The first of the Cigare Volant wines: 2013 Vin Gris de Cigare 2013 Vin Gris de Cigare Réserve 2011 Le Cigare Blanc 2012 Pinot Noir "Spanish Springs"; the winery is on to their 2013 vintage, so I've linked to that one. 2013 Clos de Gilroy Grenache 2012 Cuvée 'R' Grenache The flagship! Both the 2009 Le Cigare Volant, and the 2009 Le Cigare Volant Réserve (linked to the picture). (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault) 2009 Syrah 'Chequera' 2013 Cigare Alt. D (This is the same blend as Le Cigare Volant, but contains more Syrah.) 2012 A Proper Claret (62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 8% Tannat, 7% Syrah, 1% Petite Sirah) This was one of my favorite labels. Red fishnets really make the look! 2011 Contra (The winery is on to the 2012, which has a different label.) My mom and I ended up loving this one and shared a case! 2013 Vinferno; the beginning of the dessert wines! NV Pinotheosis (Pinot Noir Port) Raspberry Eau de Vie (Sorry, out of state folk! This beauty can only be shipped within California--at least through the winery itself.) And last, but not least... 2013 ¿Querry? Sparkling Hard Cider (made from Pear, Apple, and Quince) Once it was time to leave, the sweet pup didn't want us to go... I didn't want to leave either! ...But it was time for the next part of our adventure! To Carmel!! Cheers!!! If you'd like to visit this winery and be able to have "Been there, doon that", here is some info: Address: 450 Highway 1 Davenport, CA 95017 Phone Number: 831.471.8031 (I would recommend making a tasting reservation)
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |