BONNY DOON PRIVATIZES PACIFIC RIM

Known for his quirky humor and excellent wines, Randall Grahm of Boony Doon is switching his Pacific Rim vineyard to become an independent winery and sole producer of Riesling. As the company phrased it, Pacific Rim is “a northwest winery obsessed with Riesling.”

“Riesling is the world’s noblest and most aristocratic white wine grape,” says Grahm, “and we want to give it the love and attention it deserves.”

Grahm decided that instead of having a large company with many brands, he would rather divide his holdings into smaller entities that allow the vineyards to focus on their strengths, said the company. Now, Pacific is an autonomous winery, still owned by Grahm, and run by former Bonny Doon managers who “share a passion, bordering on fanaticism, for Riesling.”

The winery will be relocated in southeastern Washington under the leadership of GM and winemaker Nicolas Quillé

Last year, Riesling was one of the fastest growing varietals in the U.S., with dollar sales rising 26%, second only to Pinot Noir at 31%, according to ACNielsen. Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Riesling is already the top selling American Riesling in the $9.00-$11.00 category, based on IRI data for 52 weeks ending January 13, 2007.