Bouchaine Vineyards
2018 Pinot Noir
"The Terraces"
Los Carneros AVA
Auction 23 | Lot No. 129
Vintage: 2018
Bouchaine Vineyards
Pinot Noir
Los Carneros
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Pinot Noir on Clones 667 and 777 from our vineyard terraces overlooking San Pablo Bay
- 100% estate, sustainably farmed Pinot Noir from the oldest continuously operating winery in the Los Carneros nested appellation
- 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
Wild yeast fermentation, minimal extraction, non-intervention winemaking – we allow the vineyard to speak for itself. Our role is to work hand-in-hand with the elements to cultivate wines of exceptional expression and depth. From the windswept hills of our estate vineyard, in the cool southernmost nested appellation of Los Carneros, comes our unique 2018 "The Terraces" Pinot Noir. Blended Dijon Clones 667 and 777 showcase intense flavors, yet preserve the ethereal perfume and elegance that is Pinot Noir.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
- Wine is produced in a Napa Green winery
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.
Napa Valley Wine Train
1275 McKinstry Street
Napa CA 94559
707-253-2160
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Napa Valley Wine Train:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bouchaine Vineyards | 2018 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | The Terraces | 23 (2019) |
| Coho | 2014 | Merlot | Coombsville | Michael Black's Best Last Vintage | 20 (2016) |
| Clos Pegase | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Tenma Vineyard | 14 (2010) |
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.