Bouchaine Vineyards
2017 Pinot Noir
"Best Barrel"
Los Carneros AVA
Auction 22 | Lot No. 75
Vintage: 2017
Bouchaine Vineyards
Pinot Noir
Los Carneros
10 cases produced
Highlights
- Be seduced by our 2017 Best Barrel Pinot Noir or join our winemaker for a personal blending session
- 100% estate, sustainably farmed Pinot Noir from the oldest continuously operating winery in Los Carneros
- This 30% whole-cluster, natively fermented wine is from low-yielding, wind-swept old vines
- We crafted this Pinot Noir to display a harmonic combination of richness, spice and vibrancy
Description
From the wind swept hills of our estate terraces, overlooking the bay in the cool southern most region of Los Carneros, comes our “Best Barrel” of 2017 Pinot Noir. Layered and intense, we also preserve the ethereal perfume that is Pinot Noir. Be seduced by the vibrancy of our blend – or collaborate with our winemaker in a personalized blending session to add your signature to this exceptional wine!
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Wine was dry farmed
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Chris Kajani
Winemaker, Bouchaine Vineyards
Chris is a proud native of Napa where she learned early in life the pleasures of jumping on horses for vineyard rides and raiding her parent's wine cellar (not necessarily in that order). The minute she turned 16, she became the designated driver for family outings up and down the valley, planting the seed for her future career. She went on to earn her B.S. in Biological Sciences at UC Davis and began working for biotech giants in the Bay Area.
After extensive travel in the wine regions of France, Spain, and Italy she took her desire to enhance people's lives in another direction. A chance encounter at a dinner party led her to work a harvest at Testarossa with renowned winemaker and Pinot geek Ed Kurtzman. Bitten by the winemaking bug, she trekked back to UC Davis where she completed her M.S. in Viticulture and Enology. She was hired by Pahlmeyer in 2004 and was immediately seduced by its newly launched Pinot Noir project.
The Burgundian side of life called to her, and in 2006 she joined Saintsbury. In 2013, she was promoted to Winemaker. "Immersing myself in the nuanced soils and microclimates of Carneros, and having the opportunity to build relationships with our outstanding and dedicated grower community, has been an incredibly rewarding experience. We live and breathe grapes and wine - but also live on this dirt, breathe this air, and drink this water. To work with people who are not only committed to world class wine growing, but also sustainability and the preservation of this land for generations to come is such an honor.".
Chris was brought on as the Winemaker and General Manager at Bouchaine Vineyards in early 2015, bringing with her a deep knowledge of Carneros soils and microclimates along with the driving idea that great wines are grown not made. She was promoted to President and Winemaker in 2023.
Chris lives in Napa with her son and husband. When she isn't hiking, cooking, or travelling, you can still find her jumping on horses and raiding wine cellars.
Country born: United States
Education: M.S. Viticulture & Enology, UC Davis '06
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Fine wine starts in the vineyard.
Vignoble Bed and Breakfast
2970 Silverado trail north
St Helena CA 94574
707-967-8377
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Vignoble Bed and Breakfast:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Mare Wines | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Smith Devereux | 2018 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Upside Down IBEX | 24 (2020) |
| Oakville Ranch Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Clea | 23 (2019) |
| Bouchaine Vineyards | 2017 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Best Barrel | 22 (2018) |
| Schweiger Vineyards | 2015 | Red Wine | Spring Mountain District | Mr. Hyde's Blend | 22 (2018) |
| Matthiasson | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 21 (2017) | |
| Patland Estate Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Prime Solum | 2013 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Block 1 | 20 (2016) |
| Robert Biale Vineyards | 2013 | Petite Sirah | Napa Valley | The Pet Project | 19 (2015) |
Winery Distribution
Bouchaine Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.