Bonny Doon Vineyard
10 Pine Flat Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-4518
info@bonnydoonvineyard.com
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Open daily 11-5pm
Tasting fee $5 credited with $30 purchase
10% case discount
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Tours:
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Tours by Appointment
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Amenities:
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Biodynamic Grown Grapes
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Price Range:
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$12 to $45 per bottle
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Established:
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1981
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Vineyards:
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140+ acres
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Production:
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45,000 cases
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Description
Deep in the lush Santa Cruz Mountains, nestled in a grove of redwood trees, is a one-of-a-kind winery operation and tasting room. Right on the side of the road is an old wooden building that in prior times was a country general store. Later, in the 1960s, it became a popular “biker bar;” finally, in 1981 it became home to Bonny Doon Winery.
As you walk past the entry porch and through the front doors, the warm spacious ambiance of the place instantly welcomes and comforts you. The wooden ceilings are low and the lighting is subdued in this rustic laid-back environment. There are three tasting counters, including their new “Barrel Bar” in the back. Gourmet cookbooks, logo clothing, gift cards, chocolate and their own brand of lavender skin products are for sale.
The staff is knowledgable about the winery’s unique philosophy of grape growing and winemaking. Bonny Doon goes beyond organic by growing their grapes and making their wines using an integrated holistic agricultural practice known as Biodynamics.
Biodynamics seek to harmonize farming practices with the subtle forces of the Universe partly by following the astronomical calendar of the moon, planets and stars. Using this cyclical rhythm, they perform agricultural activities in accord with the energetic tendencies of the plants to get the very best fruit for their wines. The practice includes specialized composting (something to do with lactating cow manure and cow horns) to bring the vineyard into balance with its soil. The practice has a certain quasi-mystical aspect to it, but its proponents, of which there are many, praise its results.
The winemaking, as you might guess, is done very deliberately, also using Biodynamic methods. The use of indigenous yeasts, whole-cluster pressing, excessive stirring of the lees, and fermenting in open-topped vessels are just the starting points for this distinctive method of winemaking.
What does all this produce? Wonderful, rich Rhone wines including their Le Cigare Volant blend, Syrah, Albarino, Pigatto, and Sangiovese, as well as a dry and a sweet Riesling. Outside, there are picnic tables among the redwoods as well as on their deck.
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