John Kuner: A Bonny Toast to Local Wine

By Guest Blogger John Kuner - November 17, 2008 I have always been a big fan of Bonny Doon's wine, ever since I moved to California in the mid-nineties. Their approach was a bit more scientific, blending locally grown grapes from their vineyards with ones nearby to make exactly the right wine. The tasting room itself is a bit less romantic than a visit to somewhere like Gloria Ferrer (where you sip a glass on a stone terrace while overlooking vast and lush vineyards), but the results are excellent!  My favorite is their Cigare Volant; a wine styled after a Châteauneuf-du-Pape. I was quite pleased to see the winery mentioned in this article:  How wineries are packaging their eco-credentials. Local wineries are taking it a step further than just promoting their environmental impact, carbon-neutral facilities, solar sprinklers, etc. There is now an alphabet soup of certifications available from the CSWA (California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance) or the SVP (Sustainable Viticulture Program). Like some of its neighbors, Bonny Doon is focusing more on biodynamic winegrowing now. Similar to organic farming in the focus toward natural methods for growing and pest control, it results in wines that have a very localized taste. So the end result is delicious wines, no chemicals, and more effective use of the land. Sounds like a tasty deal to me! Perhaps this has inspired you to plan a wine tasting party at home or picnic in the park (Tonic Events is a great way to plan your event, of course!). In any case, happy Monday and à votre santé! Hat tip: SFGate John Kuner is Tonic's very own organic drinking hippie guru.  He heads up Tonic Events and hopes you will plan your charitable holiday party soon. You can invite him, too, at john[at]tonic.com.