AmCham Norway joined forces with California Wine Institute to welcome Jody Bogle of Bogle Vineyards for our first ever virtual wine tasting.
Members and partners gathered remotely to taste, discuss, and learn about four different Bogle Vineyards wines. Jody, a sixth-generation farmer – and third-generation steward of the vineyards – walked us through the history of the land, her memories of harvesting late at night with her grandfather, and her family’s commitment to sustainable wine production.
The planting of Bogle’s Petit Sirah vines in 1968 was a desperate attempt by Jody’s grandfather to compensate for a dead harvest of potatoes, and has now grown into over 2 000 acres of grapes. Bogle spoke proudly of the winemakers and staff at her vineyards, as well as their unique grading system that tracks grapes from field to bottle. Together, these contributions ultimately culminated in wines that achieved the accolades of Wine Enthusiast’s Winery of the Year for 2019, and California Green Medal Leader in 2018 for sustainable winegrowing.
The planting of Bogle’s Petit Sirah vines in 1968 was a desperate attempt by Jody’s grandfather to compensate for a dead harvest of potatoes, and has now grown into over 2 000 acres of grapes. Bogle spoke proudly of the winemakers and staff at her vineyards, as well as their unique grading system that tracks grapes from field to bottle. Together, these contributions ultimately culminated in wines that achieved the accolades of Wine Enthusiast’s Winery of the Year for 2019, and California Green Medal Leader in 2018 for sustainable winegrowing.
Describing her family as ‘proactively sustainable,’ Bogle explained their goal of achieving 100% sustainable energy use through the installation of a wind turbine, as well as an incentive program for their producer partners. Gaining a more nuanced understanding of Lodi Rules, America’s original sustainable winegrowing program, participants discussed the importance of clean wines without additives and what impact, if any, the ‘natural’ wine movement is having internationally.
Select Bogle Wines have been present in Norway since 2013, thanks to importer Vinarius. Inspired by the success of this unique tasting, AmCham is already coordinating a similar June event – as well as contributing to California Wine Institute’s immense European Wine Tour visit to Oslo this autumn. Stay tuned!
Though the Bogle family has been farming in the Clarksburg region for six generations, their involvement in the wine business spans back 50 years. In addition to passing down a strong work ethic and dedication to quality, the success of Bogle over the years is rooted in the day-to-day involvement of the Bogle family.
Their line includes Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. It also produces dessert wines in the style of Port with Petit Sirah. Their wines are imported to Norway by Vinarius.
Featuring a diverse selection of wines from 12 US producers from California, Oregon, and Washington, AmCham hosted a masterclass tasting for the Norwegian press and industry experts at US Ambassador Kenneth Braithwaite’s residence, Villa Otium.
Visiting organic wine pioneer Bob Blue led the American Wine Club and AmCham members through an exclusive tasting of Bonterra Vineyards diverse range of organic and biodynamic wines. Founded in 1987, Bonterra is a rising star in the American wine industry and was named Wine Enthusiast magazine’s American Winery of the Year in 2016.
To welcome the start of summer, AmCham Norway hosted a casual summer wine tasting for members of the recently formed American Wine Club.
Including wines from California producers Joel Gott, Mandolin, and Ferrari-Carano, guests were able to sample a broad range of wines while also sampling an assortment of pastries provided by Hotel Bristol’s new in-house bakery. Along the way, attendees deepened their understanding of California wines and had the opportunity to experience vintages from a geographically diverse array of producers from the Golden State.