90 Wine Enthusiast

"From a high mountain vineyard near the Sonoma-Napa border in the Mayacamas, this 100% Cabernet is intense in black currant and spice flavors. The tannins are rich and form a sturdy backbone, and the wine is soft in acids, in the modern style. This is a food-friendly wine, graceful and elegant." -90 points Wine Enthusiast

WINE:
"This wine is 100% Bugay Vineyards fruit 'From the south facing slope of the Mayacama Mountains', made from Cabernet Sauvignon, clones 15 and 337. The rocky, volcanic soil and steep south-facing slopes of the Bugay Vineyards are ideal for producing intensely flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is full and structured with wonderful dark cherry, black plum, and mineral notes. This wine is perfectly balanced with enough acidity to pare with marbled beef and savory cheese. This was aged for 21 months in 'Reserve' French Oak Barrels. 704 cases produced. Pair with grilled and roasted beef, savory lamb, rich sauces, flavorful cheese." -Winery

VINEYARDS:
"Long ago, the search began to find the ideal site for planting vines. Although Napa and Santa Barbara Counties were thoroughly investigated, we were most intrigued by the irresistible beauty and challenge of this land we now call home, located high in the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County. We immediately fell in love with the stunning beauty of this rugged, inaccessible and forested parcel. To our great fortune, this parcel revealed hillside meadows suitable for vineyards and the soils proved to be a winemaker's dream."

"The soil composition here is extremely rocky and rich in volcanic complexity. The earth has a very thin layer of weathered soil over thick layers of decomposed and solid volcanic rock, along with deposits of ash in many areas. Typically, these 'Red Hill' series soils are quite acidic. However, through some quirk of nature, our soil is remarkably close to having a perfect pH. We pamper and preserve this precious soil by employing extraordinary cultural practices including the maintenance of selected, permanent cover crops and the use of organic fertilizers."-Winery

Click here to watch a video for more information on the Bugay vineyards.

WINEMAKER:
"Winemaker Randall Watkins grew up on a vineyard located in the foothills of Taylor Mountain in Sonoma County. His father was a garagiste, creating rustic Zinfandel and crisp Chardonnay in a barn on their property with the help of friends who were paid in wine. Beginning when he was only 10 years old, Randall participated in the annual harvest and grape crush, and as he grew older he continued to learn about farming and fermentation from his father."

"...He continued his hands-on winemaking training, working in the cellars and labs of Buena Vista Winery and Hartford Family Winery in Sonoma County, as supervisor of red wine fermentations at Carmen Vineyards in Chile, and as assistant winemaker at S. Anderson Vineyards in Napa. Watkins then returned to UC Davis, where he rounded out his practical knowledge by completing a master's degree in enology in 1999. Watkins went on to produce stellar wines over the next 7 years as winemaker and General Manager for Carmenet Winery and Moon Mountain Vineyard."

"...Watkins discovered that his favorite big red wines were consistently from vineyards located in the Mayacama Mountains. 'I loved the wines that came from the mountain fruit of Monte Rosso Vineyard, Moon Mountain Estate, and the top of Nuns Canyon. Then one day I met with John Bugay at the summit of Bugay Vineyards in the northwest Mayacama Mountains, and I was blown away by the vineyard site and the quality of the wines that it produced!' Soon after, Watkins left Moon Mountain for the opportunity to make wine for Bugay Vineyards." -Winery