A chilly, rainy afternoon didn’t thwart our plans to visit Bouchaine Vineyards in the Carneros AVA of Napa Valley. And why should weather affect any schedule that includes sipping terroir-driven wines, a visit with Chris Kajani, President and Winemaker, and a “Vine to Vessel” experience? At Bouchaine, it’s all about customer service and exceptional wines crafted with expertise.
Located at 1075 Buchli Station Road in Napa, this historic winery with vines planted in the late 1880s by a settler from Missouri, is the oldest continuously opering winery in Carneros found at the southern edge of Napa Valley and overlooking San Francisco Bay. In 1927, the land was purchased by Italian winemaker Johnny Garetto and farmed until 1961 when Beringer acquired the property. It was used as a storage facility and in the early 1980s, Gerret and Tatiana Copeland acquired the broken-down winery buildings and 30 acres of land surrounding them. Thanks to the Copelands’ mission to update the property, expand the vineyards to 100 acres, and build a sustainable estate, “Bouchaine has grown from a pair of ramshackle buildings into a thriving vineyard estate.”
Photo Credit: Bouchaine Vineyards
It was a pleasure to finally meet President and Winemaker, Chris Kajani, a proud Napa native who grew up raiding her parents’ wine cellar and riding the neighbors’ horses (though not necessarily in that order). She started her career in biotech, but wine drew her inevitably home. A few too many trips to European wine regions led to wistful dinner party comments, which led to working harvests — and she was back at UC Davis for a Masters in Viticulture and Enology before she knew it.
Like the Copelands, Chris fell hard for Burgundian wines, and she built her winemaking career around crafting worthy California cousins. After almost a decade working with Carneros Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as Saintsbury’s winemaker, she joined the Bouchaine family as head winemaker and general manager in 2015. Today, her passion and authenticity set the tone for her team. Pick for flavor. Get serious about the details. Don’t take shortcuts. And above all, enjoy the wine. Bouchaine Vineyards
Chris Kajani – Photo Credit: Bouchaine Vineyards
With Kajani at the helm, over 20 award winning wines including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are produced. Of 87 planted acres at Bouchaine, 31 are of Chardonnay, 46 are Pinot Noir and 10 are of Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Syrah. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive due to the shallow clay loam soils on layers of obsidian, quartz, clay and volcanic deposits on the property. Fog, wind and cold night temperatures are unique to the area and I found beautiful wines that exuded the region’s sense of place.
Photo Credit: Bouchaine Vineyards
Parcels are planted with a variety of exposures to the sun and viticultural techniques are “based on topography, to optimize air circulation and ripening.” The all-female crew “performs every aspect of the growing process by hand. That includes pruning, positioning shoots, thinning clusters and applying compost, a natural source of rich nutrients for the soil.” Sustainable pest management is the norm and a plethora of raptor and bluebird boxes to trap rodents and insects can be seen throughout the estate. Pheromone traps are used to deter the mating of bugs.
The result of these efforts? A unique portfolio of wines as well as experiences are offered to discerning wine aficionados. My +1 and I indulged in Vine to Vessel, hosted by Chris Kajani, that focused on tasting wines aged in and poured from concrete eggs, large French oak casks, acacia barrels and clay amphorae. The purpose was to compare and contrast the aroma and flavor profiles of each wine based on the vessel. Any wine lover from the neophyte to the seasoned taster will appreciate this opportunity to learn more.
After the experience in the barrel room, we walked past garden seating and up the steps to the contemporary tasting room with its sweeping deck overlooking the vineyards. Due to the weather, we sidled up to the inside tasting bar and chose a few wines to sip. Having already tasted their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (beautiful!), I opted for splashes of 2020 Pinot Meunier, 2022 Gewurtztraminer and 2023 Alsatian blend.
2020 Pinot Meunier was a joy to sip on the rainy afternoon in Napa. Aromas of bright red strawberries led to flavors of foraged mushrooms, baking spice and blackberry jam on a platform of food friendly acidity and moderate tannins. A perennial Gewurtztraminer lover, I adored the bright aromas of stone fruit and spice leading to snappy acidity and vibrant, fresh flavors of apricots, exotic spice, and dried peaches in the 2022 Gewurtztraminer.
2023 is the first vintage of Bouchaine’s estate Alsatian Blend, a dry cuvee of 50% Pinot Gris, 30% Pinot Blanc, 10% Riesling and 10% Gewurtztraminer – I couldn’t wait to taste. Kajani selected different vessels during the winemaking process: the concrete egg for the Pinot Gris, clay amphora for Riesling and Gewurtztraminer and neutral oak for the Pinot Blanc. Expressive with texture and structure, I loved the florals on the nose, bright acidity and minerality on the palate. What a find!
Bouchaine Vineyards is a stunning place where I’ll return and if you’ve never visited, add it to your playlist. Indulge in the experiences offered and simply relax! Find more HERE.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
You love Chardonnay? Check out Dinner Tonight: Roasted Salmon with Bearnaise Sauce and 2021 Bouchaine Estate Chardonnay
