BONNY DOON VINFERNO

Harmony, rhythm, diversity and vitality – these are words used in Bonny Doon’s descriptions of their wines, their vineyards wine making and growing practices. These are also words I can happily associate with KUVO and jazz in general. So how appropriate it was to feature the Bonny Doon Vinfero at our recent food and wine pairing dinner.

So much can be said about the new age thinking of winemaker, Randall Grahm. From his pioneering move to switch a 200,000 case production wine to all screw caps, to listing all the ingredients on wine labels. Now, he is becoming Demeter certified in his biodynamic farming for all his wines, which ensures the biodiversity of the farm and harmony of nature.

Demeter set the standards for farming back in the late 1920’s. At first it seems a bit weird. For example the fields require preps that include the use of deer bladders stuffed with yarrow blossom and cow intestines, and cow horns packed with manure and quartz. Timing the planting, pruning and harvesting calendar by the phases of the moon is a practice that reaches back over the centuries. As one winemaker noted, “We know the power of the moon over the tides of our oceans, imagine the impact of the moon on our little vines”. A sort of homeopathy is used in the vineyards, which prohibits all chemicals, pesticides, fungicides or genetic engineering of the plants.

Demeter elevates organic practices several steps further as does Bonny Doon, as their goal is to reflect the terrior of their wine. Grahm is in the planning phases of a new vineyard, in which his goal is to not only reflect the terrior, but the spirit of the vineyard. The wonderful part for us though, is that all of these efforts can be experienced with tasting their wine.

The Vinferno (the name plays off of Dante’s Inferno) comes from the Beeswax vineyard. The blend of Rousanne and Grenache Blanc is simply heavenly. Like a method that Italians call passito, the grapes were picked, then laid on drying racks for three weeks. This process allows the flavors and sugars to concentrate. The result is a beautiful reflection of nature, the earth and the universe and of course Randall Grahm.

Celebrate the bounties of Thanksgiving with a decadent glass of Vinferno. It is delicious chilled on its own or with your favorite apple pie, pear tart or pumpkin pie. Vinferno can be purchased at Joy Wine and Spirits, 1302 E 6th Avenue at Marion in Denver. 303-744-6219.