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Bonny Doon Vineyard
www.bonnydoonvineyard.com
Randall Grahm
Randall Grahm
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Santa Cruz
People: Randall Grahm, Owner & Winemaker


About Randall Grahm: Like Columbus who sought a trade route to Asia, Randall Grahm set sail in 1979 for the Great American Pinot Noir, foundered on the shoals of astringency and finesselessness and ended up running aground in the utterly unexpected New World of Rhône and Italian grape varieties.

Randall was born in Los Angeles in 1953 and attended the prestigious University of California at Santa Cruz where he majored in Liberal Arts major. Some time later he found himself working at the Wine Merchant in Beverly Hills sweeping floors. By dint of exceptionally good karma he was given the opportunity to taste an ungodly number of great French wines and this singular experience turned him into a complete and insufferable wine fanatic. He returned to the University of California at Davis to complete a degree in Plant Sciences in 1979. With his family's assistance, Randall purchased property in the Santa Cruz Mountains in a hypnogogically quaint area known as Bonny Doon intent on producing the Great American Pinot Noir. The GAPN proved to be systematically elusive but he was greatly encouraged by experimental batches of Rhône varieties. The late great Bonny Doon Estate Vineyard (1981-1994) was eventually planted to syrah, roussanne, marsanne and viognier and produced beautiful wines confirming both that California's temperate climate is well suited to the sun-loving grapes of the Mediterranean.

In the late 1980's, Mr. Grahm felt compelled to cast his net further afield. Bonny Doon's Ca' del Solo vineyard in Monterey County, planted just out of searchlight's reach of the state pen in Soledad, has been planted to an ever expanding roster of Italian varieties such as Nebbiolo, Barbera, Pinot Grigio, Dolcetto and Freisa.

Biodynamic Viticulture: Since early 2004, Bonny Doon has practiced strict adherence to Biodynamic viticultural practices. All of the growers with whom they currently work also use strict Biodynamic practices in the farming of grapes which they purchase. Bonny Doon believes that these Biodynamic practices give them the best opportunity to produce the most distinctive and interesting-the best-wines possible.

Social Media
Twitter: @bonnydoonvineyd, @RandallGrahm
Bonny Doon Facebook
Bonny Doon YouTube
Blog:"Been Doon So Long"
Items
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2009 Sparkling Moscato (Frizzante), Monterey County Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2013 'Vin Gris de Cigare' Rose, Central Coast Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 'Le Cigare Blanc' (Rhone Blend), Beeswax Vineyard, Arroyo Seco Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2013 Albarino, Central Coast Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2012 'A Proper Claret' California Net Price Reviews —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2013 'Clos de Gilroy' Grenache, Central Coast Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 'Contra' (Red Rhone Blend), Central Coast Net Price Reviews —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2008 'Le Cigare Volant' (Red Rhone Blend), Central Coast Net Price Reviews —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2009 'Le Cigare Volant' (Red Rhone Blend), Central Coast Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2010 'Le Pousseur' Syrah, Central Coast Net Price Reviews —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 'Le Pousseur' Syrah, Central Coast Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2012 'Le Pousseur' Syrah, Central Coast Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 'Verjus de Cigare' Net Price — —
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 'Querry' Cider (Apple/Pear/Quince), California Net Price — —
Reviews
Bonny Doon Vineyard 2008 'Le Cigare Volant' (Red Rhone Blend), Central Coast
Rating: 89

Sleek and engaging, with ripe, supple, polished cherry, currant and dried berry flavors that glide across the palate, ending with gravel and spice box. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignane. Drink now through 2021.

- The Wine Spectator (12/15/2012)

Bonny Doon Vineyard 2008 'Le Cigare Volant' (Red Rhone Blend), Central Coast
Rating: 90

Bright ruby. Pungent cherry, blackcurrant and botanical herbs on the nose, with a slow-building floral nuance and a hint of peppery spices. Sappy dark berry flavors show very good intensity and gain spiciness and smokiness with air. Supple tannins gain power on the gently gripping finish, which leaves a note of bitter cherry behind.

- International Wine Cellar (11/30/2012)

Bonny Doon Vineyard 2010 'Le Pousseur' Syrah, Central Coast
Rating: 90

Bright purple. Smoke- and spice-accented dark berries, cherry pit and violet on the fragrant nose. Very syrah, with sappy black and blue fruit flavors and hints of smoky bacon and cracked pepper building with air. Closes with supple tannins, echoing spiciness and very good, tangy persistence. Give this one a little time to stretch out.

- International Wine Cellar (12/1/2013)

Bonny Doon Vineyard 2010 'Le Pousseur' Syrah, Central Coast
Rating: 88

Spending 20 months in French puncheons, the 2010 Syrah Le Pousseur (100% Syrah) is a solid effort that exhibits upfront berry fruit intermixed with notions of old leather, dried spice and pepper. Medium-bodied, rich and nicely textured, with juicy acidity, enjoy it over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2017.

- The Wine Advocate (8/29/2013)

Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 'Contra' (Red Rhone Blend), Central Coast
Rating: 88

A charming and refreshing red, offering tiers of juicy berry, plum and raspberry flavors. Maintains a core of fruitiness and ends with a cleansing aftertaste.

- The Wine Spectator (12/31/2013)

Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 'Contra' (Red Rhone Blend), Central Coast
Rating: 88

An old vine field blend of 58% Carignan, 27% Mourvedre, 8% Grenache and the balance Syrah and Zinfandel, the 2011 Contra shows loads of Carignan flair with its plum pit, ink, old furniture and leather-styled aromas and flavors. Ripe, supple and rounded, with plenty of fruit, it, too, is a delicious, well-made effort to drink over the coming couple of years. Drink now-2016.

- The Wine Advocate (8/29/2013)

Bonny Doon Vineyard 2012 'A Proper Claret' California
Rating: 87

Deep ruby. Smoky, wild aromas of dried cherry and cured meat, with a peppery overtone. Supple and open-knit, with good breadth to its bitter cherry and game flavors. The energetic finish is firmed by dusty tannins and leaves a cracked pepper note behind.

- International Wine Cellar (12/1/2013)