Christopher the wine maker was very welcoming. We made our appointment last minute but he accommodated our schedule. He was super laid back and very knowledgeable, and he made us feel comfortable. I recommend this tour to anyone looking for a nice secluded vineyard with a lot of history and a casual setting.

Bonny Doon Vineyard kicked off its adventure with a daring—if somewhat misguided—attempt to bring Burgundy vibes to California. But Randall Grahm soon discovered that the real magic lay in crafting distinctive and original wines using Rhône varieties right in the beautiful Central Coast. A delightful lesson learned (albeit by chance) was that blended wines absolutely flourish in a warm, Mediterranean climate. Who knew?

Fast forward to 1986, when Bonny Doon released its inaugural vintage of Le Cigare Volant (the 1984 vintage)—a playful homage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This wine quickly became the winery’s flagship starship brand, launching Bonny Doon into the hearts of wine lovers everywhere.

From that point, Bonny Doon Vineyard embarked on a wild ride of innovation! It led the charge in popularizing Rhône grapes across California and was the first to introduce cryo-extraction techniques for its whimsical “Vins de Glacière.” They also pioneered microbullage, embraced screwcaps for premium wines, and kicked off a true transparency revolution with ingredient labeling. Talk about a creative whirlwind that jazzed up the California wine scene—though it did come with a bit of a focus challenge!

As Bonny Doon grew, it became a home for fan-favorite brands like Big House, Cardinal Zin, and Pacific Rim, rocketing up to the 28th largest winery in the United States. But Randall had an epiphany—his beloved winery had drifted away from its original mission of making soulful, standout wines. While he relished those effortless restaurant reservations, he knew it was time for a change.

So, he bravely decided to part ways with the larger brands (Big House and Cardinal Zin in 2006, followed by Pacific Rim in 2010). With a fresh perspective, Bonny Doon Vineyard set out to create the unique and expressive wines that had always been its true passion. Wine lovers can now continue to enjoy this exciting evolution and savor the incredible wines that flow from this legendary vineyard.

Satori Cellars: A Tasting Experience in the Heart of Santa Clara Valley

Satori Cellars features an inviting outdoor tasting cabana, surrounded by 15 acres of flourishing, pampered grapes from the Santa Clara Valley. The tasting room is open to the public on the first, second, and third full weekends of each month, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on the fifth Saturday, from noon to 5 PM. Guests can enjoy private VIP tastings and large group celebrations on the fourth (or fifth) weekends of the month, available by reservation. The winery proudly showcases award-winning, estate-grown reds, including Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petite Sirah.

While the focus is on exceptional wine, the atmosphere is equally appealing. Satori Cellars is dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and perfect for families and groups. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, listen to live music, catch the game, play bocce, and unwind in a relaxed setting where a memorable Satori story is sure to unfold.

Tastings are offered at $20, which includes one white wine and four red wines. Additionally, guests can enjoy wine by the glass, refreshing mimosas (sparkling wine and orange juice), and a seasonal homemade special-recipe sangria.

While reservations are not required, they are highly recommended to ensure a delightful experience at Satori Cellars.

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People enjoying wine - wine artist Agata Zaborowski