CARDWELL PINOT NOIR ESTATE 2017

BONNY DOON VINEYARD

The story of Bonny Doon Vineyard began with the foolish attempt to reproduce Burgundy in California, Randall Grahm very quickly understood that he would have much more success creating more distinctive and original wines by working the Rhône grape varieties on the Central Coast in California. The conclusion he drew from this experience is that in a warm Mediterranean climate, blends are usually the most successful. In 1986, Bonny Doon Vineyard launched the first vintage (1984) of "Le Cigare Volant", a tribute to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and which will remain its flagship product of the Domaine. "Le Cigare Volant" (The Flying Cigar) takes its name from the municipal decree of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (still in force today): "The overflight, landing and take-off of aircraft known as flying saucers or flying cigars of any nationality whatsoever are prohibited on the territory of the commune. We again thank our extra-terrestrial neighbors for respecting the decree."