Bokisch Vineyards Belle Colline Vineyard Monastrell 2010
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
In 2019 Markus and Liz Bokisch celebrated 20 years of making award winning Spanish wines at Bokisch Vineyards. Markus pioneered the planting of Spanish varieties in California by bringing over budwood from Spain and planting it in Lodi soil in 1999. Inspired by his Catalan heritage and driven by a passion for organic and sustainable farming, he became one the most prominent grape growers and authorities on Spanish grapes in all of the United States.
In 2000 they made their first vintage of Bokisch wine and have continued to grow their Spanish wine portfolio ever since. Bokisch Vineyards is now producing 11 bottlings of 7 different Spanish varieties across 6 different vineyards. Featuring Albariño, Garnacha Blanca, Verdejo, Garnacha, Tempranillo, Monastrell, and Graciano.
Since its inception in 2000, Bokisch Vineyards has been featured in numerous wine publications including Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Sunset Magazine. In April, 2018 Bokisch Vineyards was the first American winery to win a gold medal for their Garnacha Blanca in the International Grenaches du Monde Competition held in Gandesa, Spain. In December of 2018, Markus and Bokisch Vineyards was featured in Wine Spectator, highlighting Markus’s vision for Spanish wines and wines made in Lodi. In 2014 they moved into a brand new winery facility located in the rolling hills of Lodi, and hired their winemaker Elyse Perry, giving them full control - grape to glass.
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!