Bond offers four Napa Valley Red wines, Melbury, St. Eden, Vecina, and Pluribus. The wine not utilized for the final blends of Bond, then goes to create a second wine under the Matriarch label. I tasted a bottle of Matriarch recently and was very impressed with its silky nature.

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.

Booker Wines: Crafting Impactful Wines with Purpose

At Booker Wines, the mission is clear: to thoughtfully farm and craft world-class wines that leave a small ecological footprint while making a significant impact. Their estate vineyard, which proudly achieved Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) status in 2023, produces a diverse range of wines, with a particular emphasis on Rhône varietals. These wines are produced in limited quantities and often sell out to the winery's wine club upon release, with select offerings from the current vintage available for purchase.

The name "Booker" honors two orphan brothers, Claude and Dick Booker, who acquired the land in the late 1920s. By the turn of the century, the Booker brothers had amassed over 1,200 acres on Paso Robles' Westside, dedicating their lives to exceptional farming and humanitarian efforts. When they passed away—Dick in 1990 and Claude in 2000—they generously left 100% of their estate to charity.

In 2001, Eric and Lisa Jensen purchased 100 acres of the property, aiming to cultivate the best fruit for the region's top wineries. After gaining invaluable experience making wine with renowned winemakers Justin Smith of Saxum and Stephan Asseo of L'Aventure Wines, the Jensens decided to create their own expression with Booker Vineyard. The 2005 vintage marked Booker Vineyard's first release, crafted by founder Eric Jensen. The vineyard achieved organic certification in April 2021, further solidifying its commitment to sustainable practices.

Booker Wines continues to honor its legacy while producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of Paso Robles.

women enjoying wine - wine artist Agarta Zaborowski