Bonny Doon

Bonny Doon is a winery that began by attempting to replicate Burgundy in California. Early in its development, Randall Grahm saw greater potential for the winery in Rhône varieties on California’s Central Coast. In 1986, it released the inaugural 1984 vintage of Le Cigare Volant, an homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grahm sold the Big House and Cardinal Zin brands in 2006 and Pacific Rim in 2010.

Fermentation uses pied de cuve starters, punchdowns in open-top tanks and délestage for more robust varieties. Avoiding smaller wooden cooperage where possible, it primarily ages reds in well-conditioned 500-liter puncheons and 10,000-liter upright wooden tanks with perforated stainless steel shelves. Its wines include Le Cigare Volant and Le Cigare Blanc Réserve, aged sur lie in five-gallon glass carboys as an exception to this approach.