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The Californian wine to be poured at King Charles’ birthday bash
A Napa producer has revealed its wines have been chosen for guests at a London event next week to celebrate the King’s 75th birthday.
Next Tuesday 14 November, official royal publisher St James House will host a launch party at Claridge’s hotel for a book honouring King Charles’ reign.
“King Charles III: The Leadership and Vision of a Modern Monarch” will be unveiled to guests in the hotel’s elegant art deco ballroom, with guests treated to five wines by a boutique Napa Valley producer, including two different Pinot Noirs.
Written by royal author Robert Jobson, with imagery provided by royal photographer Arthur Edwards, the book is part of the ongoing celebrations for the King’s 75th birthday, which falls on the same day as the book launch.
Unsurprisingly, given the King’s firm commitment to environmental issues, His Majesty has opted for one of California’s leading sustainable producers. More surprising is the fact that he has gone for younger vintages, favouring wines from 2021, rather than long-aged expressions from the producer’s cellar.
Bouchaine Vineyards is today one of the leading producers of sustainably farmed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Carneros AVA of Napa Valley. Vines are strongly influenced by the nearby San Pablo Bay, from which cool breezes and a daily influx of fog allow cool climate grape varieties to shine.
Noted as the first “Fish Friendly Farming” certified vineyard in Napa Valley, the winery is also Napa Green land and winery certified, and is the longest continually running winery in Carneros.
A royal taste for California
“After sharing our wines during Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee in 2022, we are once again thrilled to help the royal family celebrate a special occasion with a little taste of California sunshine,” says Tatiana Copeland, owner of the boutique winery, who previously met King Charles through her charitable work.
She is also said to be close friends with the King’s Aunt, Princess Margaret, having met her while holidaying on the island of Mustique, where Copeland owns a villa.
Copeland is flying from the US to attend the event, along with winery president and winemaker Chris Kajani, who will be pouring for the event.
The wines to be poured include: Bouchaine Estate Chardonnay 2020; Bouchaine Estate “Calera Clone” Pinot Noir 2021; Bouchaine Estate Riesling 2021; Bouchaine Estate “Mt. Eden Clone” Pinot Noir 2021; and the newly released Bouchaine Estate Syrah 2021.
Both the Calera Clone Pinot and the Mt. Eden Pinot retail for US$90 per bottle, while Bouchaine’s Estate Syrah 2021 goes for US$125 and is only the second vintage to be released from the youngest part of the producer’s vineyard.
In September db reported that King Charles had visited Château Smith Haut Lafitte, during a royal visit to Bordeaux. The estate had also been selected for its sustainable credentials, as it adheres to biodynamic viticulture and acquired organic agriculture certification in 2019.
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