BONNY DOON LE CIGARE ORANGE 2024

BONNY DOON LE CIGARE ORANGE 2024Bonny Doon Vineyard, founded by Randall Grahm, began with an attempt to replicate Burgundy in California but quickly pivoted to focus on Rhne varieties in the Central Coast. The winery gained recognition for its innovative practices, including popularizing Rhne grapes, using cryo extraction, introducing microbullage, and championing screwcaps for premium wines. After growing to become the 28th largest winery in the US, Grahm sold off larger brands to

Bonny Doon Vineyard, founded by Randall Grahm, began with an attempt to replicate Burgundy in California but quickly pivoted to focus on Rhône varieties in the Central Coast. The winery gained recognition for its innovative practices, including popularizing Rhône grapes, using cryo-extraction, introducing microbullage, and championing screwcaps for premium wines. After growing to become the 28th largest winery in the US, Grahm sold off larger brands to refocus on producing distinctive, original wines with a lighter touch. The winery now emphasizes improved vineyard practices and indigenous yeast fermentation. Grahm, a UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis alumnus, has been recognized as a pioneer in the wine industry, earning accolades such as induction into the Vintner s Hall of Fame. He continues to innovate at his San Juan Bautista property, Popelouchum, where he aims to breed new grape varieties and produce a true vin de terroir in the New World. The 2023 vintage from the Central Coast AVA is a blend of 44.5% Grenache Blanc, 25% Pinot Gris, 14% Grenache Gris, 9.5% Orange Muscat, and 7% Chenin Blanc. Each variety is harvested separately at low brix levels with good natural acidity, then destemmed and fermented at cool temperatures in rotary and stainless steel closed top tanks. Skin contact averages 14-16 days before pressing into stainless steel. The wine is kept cold with minimal sulfur added before bottling. The resulting wine offers aromas of fresh apricot, citrus, and tangerine blossom, with a bright, fresh palate featuring peach, apricot, and citrus peel flavors. The texture is described as vibrant and textured.