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WiNE COuNtRY NEWS | WiNE COuNtRY tHiS WEEK28BOUCHAINE VINEYARDSOpen daily 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.1075 Buchli Station Road, Napa, CA 94559(707) 252-9065 | www.bouchaine.comBOuCHAiNE ViNEYARdSKeeping the Focus on Great Wine in CarnerosBY JOSH STEINA visit to Bouchaine Vineyards, the oldest continually operating winery andsouthernmost vineyards in the Carneros region, brings you full-circle within the valley’swinemaking history. First planted by Boon Fly in the mid-nineteenth century, the property,like much of the Carneros District, was forgotten about until the end Prohibition when theproperty was purchased by Johnny Garetto in 1927. After Repeal, he operated the firstwinery with a tasting room in the Carneros region. Garetto sold the winery to BeringerBrothers in 1951, who used the winery for thirty harvests. In 1981, Tatiana and GerretCopeland, a successful business couple from Wilmington, Delaware, fell in love with theproperty, and thus began the modern-day revitalization which greets visitors today.An almost total renovation took time but was completed in 1995, updating andrefurbishing the entire winemaking facility and visitor spaces. Guests are now greeted bythe production facilities laid out within the surrounding vineyards such that the rest of thevalley is forgotten about. What surrounds you are vineyards, views and breezes – and notmuch else, the way Carneros was at the beginning. You will also see a sign that says thatpets are welcome “by appointment.” Since between two and four winery pups inhabit thespacious property, the Bouchaine folks are sensitive to the fact that not all canines get alongwith each other. Your own is welcome (on a leash); just call first and they will take care ofeverything else.It’s not just the casual atmosphere and attitude which harken back to Carneros’ history.The wood that covers the winery buildings comes from old fermentation tanks which wereLook for us on Facebook and become a Fan!