Dec 30, 2022
Search This Site:
Bonneau Wines & Vineyard
| Owner(s) | John Bambury, Yvonne Bonneau |
| Web site | www.bonneauwine.com |
| Link to this site |
August and Catherine Bonneau, who were originally from Bordeaux, bought 70 acres of land south of the town of Sonoma in 1921. The Bonneaus farmed the land, ran a dairy, and operated a small country store and delicatessan at the corner of Bonneau Rd and Arnold Dr. (Highway 121). In 1988, their daughter, Yvonne, planted 30 acres of Chardonnay on the property, enlisted the Sangiacomos to farm the vineyard, and began supplying well-known wineries in the region. In 2002, Yvonne’s son, John Bambury, introduced Bonneau Wines with the release of a 2002 Estate Los Carneros Chardonnay. Since then the winery has expanded into other red wines sourced from vineyards in Sonoma, Napa and Amador counties. The Pinot Noir program began in 2008 with grapes sourced from a Sangiacomo vineyard off Bonneau Road nearby. John is the Director of Winemaking, working with consultant John Tracy at the old Kosta Browne space at Deerfield Ranch Winery in Kenwood.
Bonneau wines are available for tasting at Bonneau's corner (Bonneau Rd and Highway 121), a tasting room and family operated delicatessen (open 10:00 to 6:00 daily) and at Cellars of Sonoma in Santa Rosa. The wines are also sold on the website as well. All wines are reasonably priced considering the high quality.
Articles About Bonneau Wines & Vineyard
Reviewed Wines
2009 Bonneau Nectar de Carneros Demi-Sec Chardonnay
11.6% alc., pH
3.35, TA 0.68, RS 9 g/100ml, $15 (375 ml). A unique wine that is quite popular.
Produced without malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks and bottled
early in 2010. From Catherine Bonneau Vineyard. Harvested at 28.4º Brix,
100% natural yeast fermentation. Gold Medal at San Francisco Chronicle Wine
Competition.
·
A Vouvray style wine featuring moderate sweetness and appealing
flavors of white stone fruits, honey and roasted nuts. Very good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Bonneau Catherine’s Vineyard Los Carneros Chardonnay
$28. Similar to the 2008 vintage
except aged in 33% new French oak barrels.
·
I prefer this rendition of the vineyard with brighter citrus
and white stone fruit, some minerality, brighter acidity and less oak influence. Very good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Bonneau Sangiacomo Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $36. A combination
of Petaluma Gap and Carneros fruit. 100% de-stemmed, aged in 40% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately intense reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved dark red fruit aromas leading to a
discreetly intense core of dark red berry and black cherry flavors, finishing on a high note with rich red
berries. Elegant in manner with supple tannins and a good vein of acidity. Very good (+).
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Bonneau Catherine’s Vineyard Los Carneros Chardonnay
14.5% alc., 900 cases, $30. Clone 4.
Aged 10 months in 55% new French oak barrels, 100% MLF.
·
Rich and spicy with aromas of citrus and hay
and flavors of lemon curd and Asian pear with notable caramel from oak. Good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Bonneau Los Carneros Sangiacomo Vineyards Pinot Noir
13.6%
alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.58, 300 cases, $34. Clone 115, and small amount of
Martini and 777. Aged 16 months in 40% new 36 month air-dried, very tightgrain
French oak barrels. Sourced from a Sangiacomo vineyard planted in
1986.
·
An elegant Pinot Noir offering delicate aromas of red berries, cherries
and rose petals. Lighter weighted but charming flavors of red cherries and
cranberries, finishing crisp and clean. Very good.
Reviewed July 1, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Bonneau Nectar de Carneros Demi-Sec Chardonnay
11.6% alc., pH 3.35, TA 0.68, RS 9 g/100ml, $15 (375 ml). A unique wine that is quite popular. Produced without malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks and bottled early in 2010. From Catherine Bonneau Vineyard. Harvested at 28.4º Brix, 100% natural yeast fermentation. Gold Medal at San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. · A Vouvray style wine featuring moderate sweetness and appealing flavors of white stone fruits, honey and roasted nuts. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Bonneau Catherine’s Vineyard Los Carneros Chardonnay
$28. Similar to the 2008 vintage except aged in 33% new French oak barrels. · I prefer this rendition of the vineyard with brighter citrus and white stone fruit, some minerality, brighter acidity and less oak influence. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Bonneau Sangiacomo Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $36. A combination of Petaluma Gap and Carneros fruit. 100% de-stemmed, aged in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately intense reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved dark red fruit aromas leading to a discreetly intense core of dark red berry and black cherry flavors, finishing on a high note with rich red berries. Elegant in manner with supple tannins and a good vein of acidity. Very good (+). Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Bonneau Catherine’s Vineyard Los Carneros Chardonnay
14.5% alc., 900 cases, $30. Clone 4. Aged 10 months in 55% new French oak barrels, 100% MLF. · Rich and spicy with aromas of citrus and hay and flavors of lemon curd and Asian pear with notable caramel from oak. Good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Bonneau Los Carneros Sangiacomo Vineyards Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.58, 300 cases, $34. Clone 115, and small amount of Martini and 777. Aged 16 months in 40% new 36 month air-dried, very tightgrain French oak barrels. Sourced from a Sangiacomo vineyard planted in 1986. · An elegant Pinot Noir offering delicate aromas of red berries, cherries and rose petals. Lighter weighted but charming flavors of red cherries and cranberries, finishing crisp and clean. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 ARTICLE »