Bonny Doon Picpoul

Bonny Doon Picpoul is a Central Coast California Picpoul Blanc from Bonny Doon Vineyard, bottled at 11% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 91 points by Wine Enthusiast, this bottling stands out for its distinctive brininess and saline character drawn from the unique terroir of the Beeswax Vineyard in Arroyo Seco.

Quick Facts: ABV: 11%  |  Origin: Central Coast, California  |  Varietal: Picpoul Blanc  |  Producer: Bonny Doon Vineyard

Production & Heritage

Bonny Doon Vineyard, founded in 1983 by Randall Grahm in Santa Cruz, California, has long championed Rhône and Mediterranean grape varieties in the Golden State. The Picpoul is sourced from two vineyard sites — roughly 70% from Beeswax Vineyard in Arroyo Seco and 30% from Sweetwater Vineyard in Monterey — blending approximately 90% Picpoul Blanc with 10% Grenache Blanc, though some vintages have been 100% Picpoul. The fruit is whole-cluster pressed and fermented cool in stainless-steel tanks using neutral yeasts, then rested on lees to add subtle textural roundness while preserving the grape's signature razor-sharp acidity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with lemon zest and sliced green apple before revealing layers of orange blossom and fennel. A faint minerality — often described as seashell-like — threads through the aromatics, hinting at the saline character to come.

Taste: On entry, Meyer lemon and green pear lead into a mid-palate of grapefruit and apricot, framed by bracing acidity. Despite its lean 11% ABV, there is a surprising creaminess from lees contact, accented by herbal and mineral undertones that give the wine its distinctive savory backbone.

Finish: The finish is crisp and persistent, leaving a trail of briny, appetite-provoking salty savor. Lingering citrus and a chalky minerality invite the next sip almost immediately.

How to Drink Bonny Doon Picpoul

Serve well chilled at around 45°F to let its acidity and saline notes shine; this is a wine that needs no embellishment and drinks beautifully on its own. Its low alcohol and high acidity also make it a natural fit for cocktail-adjacent wine drinks — try it in a White Wine Spritzer where its brininess cuts through the dilution, a Picpoul Aperol Spritz riff substituting it for Prosecco to add a savory dimension, or a classic Kir with a dash of crème de cassis that plays off its citrus and mineral backbone.

Best For

• Pairing with a raw oyster or sashimi dinner at home
• Warm-weather porch drinking where low alcohol is an advantage
• Gifting to a wine enthusiast exploring Mediterranean grape varieties
• Introducing adventurous drinkers to Picpoul Blanc as a varietal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bonny Doon Picpoul taste like? It is defined by bracing citrus acidity — lemon, green pear, and grapefruit — layered with a distinctive briny, saline savor and subtle herbal and mineral notes. A creamy mid-palate texture from lees aging balances its otherwise lean, crisp profile.

How does Bonny Doon Picpoul compare to Tablas Creek Picpoul? Both are among the very few California-grown Picpoul Blancs; Tablas Creek, based in Paso Robles, is credited with bringing Picpoul cuttings to California in the 2000s. Bonny Doon's version tends toward a more pronounced brininess and lighter body at 11% ABV, while Tablas Creek's Paso Robles terroir often yields a slightly richer, more stone-fruit-forward expression.

Is Bonny Doon Picpoul good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its low 11% ABV, bracing acidity, and layered citrus-saline profile make it an excellent standalone sipper, especially served well chilled in warm weather.

Where is Bonny Doon Picpoul made? It is produced by Bonny Doon Vineyard, headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, using fruit sourced from the Beeswax Vineyard in the Arroyo Seco AVA and the Sweetwater Vineyard in Monterey, both within the broader Central Coast region.

What foods pair well with Bonny Doon Picpoul? Raw oysters and shellfish are a natural match, as the wine's salinity mirrors the sea. Grilled branzino or other light white fish benefit from its citrus acidity. Fresh goat cheese salads complement its herbal notes, while ceviche highlights the grapefruit and lemon flavors. Charcuterie with briny olives and marcona almonds also pairs well, echoing the wine's savory character.

What sizes does Bonny Doon Picpoul come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Bonny Doon Picpoul worth the price? It positions comfortably in the affordable-to-mid-range tier for quality California white wines, and its 91-point Wine Enthusiast score and distinctive varietal character deliver strong value relative to comparably rated domestic whites.

Why Bonny Doon Picpoul?

Picpoul Blanc remains a rare grape in California, and Bonny Doon's version is one of the most critically recognized American expressions of the variety, backed by its 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating and a TEXSOM International Wine Awards Silver Medal for the 2020 vintage. The sourcing from Beeswax Vineyard — a site known for imparting a distinctive waxy, mineral aromatic signature to white grapes — gives this bottling a terroir-driven identity that separates it from generic California white blends. At just 11% ABV, it occupies a rare niche: a serious, food-friendly wine that remains refreshingly light and sessionable. For drinkers looking beyond Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, this is one of the most compelling arguments for Picpoul Blanc grown on American soil.