Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Visits the Thunder Show – Part II

Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Visits the Thunder Show – Part II – Episode #564

October 23, 2008

And now for the exciting conclusion of yesterday’s cliff hanger!

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Comments on this episode(172) Leave a comment ›

“Hey Gary,

I just want to tell you that this episode was good . I …” by George
“Really interesting episode. Randall seems to be a caring and straight…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
View all 172 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Bien Nacido Syrah
2007 Le Vol Des Anges

172 Responses

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February 5, 2009

George
Hey Gary,

I just want to tell you that this episode was good . I also would like to ask
you to watch a rerun of the show so that you can see how many times you are interrupting the guest. I am not a basher I think actually this is the best of the best when it comes to finding out information on wines from a younger person and also its great to sit down relax and drink a glass of wine while watching . I hope you understand I dont want you to take it offensive I just want you to take it into consideration.

Thanks,
January 24, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Really interesting episode. Randall seems to be a caring and straightforward guy. You have to love and respect that. Great interview with him. Learned a lot about Bonny Doon that I had no idea about in the past. QOTD: Before this show I was unaware of your higher end wines. I had no idea about your biodynamic wines and such…. just the low end wines in the stores. Its nice to see the love and quality youre putting into your wines. Thanks for bringing these other wines to my attention.
January 1, 2009

Rick
It has been a long while since my last BD wine. They always struck me as much too much concept and marketing – with very little attention paid to the quality of their wines. I knew nothing of the recent changes. Perhaps it is time to try one again.

GV – thanks for the opportunity to learn more about this legend of wine making.
December 2, 2008

yowens
QOTD: Before the show I thought of a couple fairly cheap wines not knowing how the company had changed. I will certainly seek out that syrah as a re-introduction to Bonny Doon.
November 20, 2008

Ron Saikowski
Randall’s wines are definitely unique, but not to my likening. Wines are meant to be enjoyed, savored with friends, and paired with foods. BD is too far left for me and are not delicious. Too weak and watery! I visited the tasting room in September and found the Beauregard Wines in the back parking lot much more to my likening. Good luck with your move to the big City. Stay off the MJ and focus more on the wines.
November 12, 2008

ChdPhound
Randall, glad to hear of your new focus w/Bonny Doon; didn’t know about it.

Might even rejoin one of the clubs (I dropped out a few years ago).

All the wines you tasted w/Gary sound neat, and I will try them!

Gary, great show!
November 12, 2008

Dirty Lurker
I had no idea what a transformation Bonny Doon had undergone. I was disenchanted with the wide array of labels and products produced by Bonny Doon. I had really avoided the Bonny Doon labels over the last few years in favor of much smaller producers. This show opened my eyes and convinced me to give a few of the Bonny Doon labeled wines a fresh taste.

Great show!
November 12, 2008

Ford G. Roberts D.D.S.
To echo the comments of several others. Please ask questions and then let the guest answer without interruption. Randall Graham is extremely intelligent and a great winemaker who sounds educated when he speaks. The host uses the present cultural bombs “kind of” and “like” ad nauseum. As a winemaker myself I would love to have heard him speak about some of the parameters of wine making without being interrupted by an obnoxious east coast accent.
November 9, 2008

wannaBconnoisseur
Good stuff!
November 8, 2008

Kristen
So many good quotes in this ep. “People who think of oak as a primary flavor in wine are the same ones who think of ketchup as a vegetable.” Oh man, was that a good one! Completely agree. “…like I bit a deer’s ass.” Ahhh, GV you never disappoint.

This was such a good episode…I liked the two parter format. It was great that you let Grahm take his time to answer and talk about different issues in the wine world. It was so funny seeing the difference between the East and West Coasters too.

QOTD: I don’t think I’ve ever had one, but seeing how large the brand is, it wouldn’t be surprising if I had.
November 6, 2008

Keith
I’m way behind on my shows. The Bonny Doon episodes were awesome, in my top 5 (I just started making that up, I don’t know what my other 3 shows are yet).
November 5, 2008

Cohen
Really Really Really Really good show

Enjoy Baja, its a really beautiful place

Carlos H Cohen
Mexico city
November 3, 2008

ChiroGuyDC
Great episode…Part II.
October 31, 2008

Beth F
Randall Graham is amazing. As a long time member of DEWN (wine club), I don’t see a lot of “changes” in Bonny Doon – but it’s been a while since I purchased retail bottles (except for Cigar Volante, of course).

I truly enjoyed seeing Randall Graham, I think he is one of the most important people in wine today – adventure means everything.

Gary – thanks for having him on but I really think you should let your guests talk without constant interuptions. I agree with so many of your theories (see-saw of the palate) but let’s leave it for shows where you aren’t talking to the Zen master of wine making. I would have liked to hear his opinions on these things.
Cheers ~ Beth
October 30, 2008

Alos
When I first got to know of Bonny Doon I thought of it as a mass produced commercial wine. However I have since read things like Food and Wine magazine and herd Gary talk about the wine and I have come to know more about it. I think that it is easy to loose sight of the winemaker and how much they care by just buying the wine from a store. I do however get that your about making a difference and not seek out your wine. Cheers
October 30, 2008

robnmo
Great Episode. Really haven’t had any Bonny Doon outside of the pacific rim label. I will look for some to try going forward.
October 30, 2008

Nik B
Loved this show – found the whole 50-60mins very interesting.

QOTD: hadn’t heard of Bonny Doon until about a year ago (unless you count the place in Australia that is quoted in The Castle movie) – but I think the names and labels are very well done, both from a marketing and design point of view.. great stuff. Have only tried 2 of their wines, but definitely want to try the Cigare Volante and the Bien Nacido Syrah.
October 29, 2008

Smahlatz
QOTD : I know nothing about Bonny Doon
Now – it has already been said, but before I saw that, I was going to say it, so I will anyway – you have to stop talking over the top of your guests. It is your show, but we want to know about the guest, not you – I mean this in the most sincerely constructive way – I still love the show.
October 29, 2008

AMM3RD
Scratch “add”, replace with “AD”
October 29, 2008

AMM3RD
I thought the add in the WS was very good. I have not opinion about bonny doon, i’ve never tried one. I will be on the lookout…AMM
October 29, 2008

Phil G.
Gary, Everyone has told you the same thing. This guy was very interesting and intelligent…you ruined it. You need to improve your interviewing skills. You are SOOO A.D.D it’s sick. I am also A.D.D. so I can see the symptoms. And get the Bottles offf the guests face. You covered him up, and made sure we could all see your face clearly. You don’t have to fill any silence with talk EVERY second of the interview….slow way down brother.
October 29, 2008

hasbeen
Best guest you have had on. I would love to hear more from him.

QOTD: I really had not previously formulated an opinion about Bonny Doon, but I am now impressed at the approach taken there.
October 29, 2008

ex-lurkdawg
Thanks for another great episode (x2). My image of Bonny Doon before seeing this episode involved both of the stereotypes Randall mentioned. Now I am happy to see that he seems to be refining his focus and trying to put forth the image of a quality-minded winery.
October 29, 2008

Zach
Gary, we love you, but in this episode (double episode) you were incredibly annoying. Please go back and watch the episode and count the number of times you interrupted Randall. It has to be over 50. Again, we love you, have been watching WLTV for almost 2 years, and will keep watching. We understand you’re excitable and it’s one of the things we love about the show. But we have to call you out on this because it did a disservice to your guest and viewers. You have your guests on for a reason, let them speak!

QOTD: We’ve only had some of the lower-end, widely available “Bonny Doon” wines (Ca del Solo brand) and haven’t been very impressed. We’re looking forward to trying the higher end wines soon.
October 28, 2008

k-man
Love the shows with Randall Grahm, well done. I understand that you have to moderate the show. It’s not the responsibility of your quest to host.

I thought the both shows were great. I look forward to many more quests. Don’t be afraid to make long shows everyone once in a while if you have time, the two-part format works as well. They will be well received. I have to confess I have never had a Doon wine. I will give one a whirl though.

Thanks again to you, the crew and the guests.