Sip On This Juice: Showcasing Exquisite Terroir in the Russian River Valley at Bucher Wines
Originally posted August 2018 by Emily Martin
36 acres of Pinot Noir grapes and 2 acres of Chardonnay on 15 distinct blocks. Looking for a more intimate, off the grid, family winery experience?
Do you want exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the source? An intimate family winery? Tasting wine at a beautiful tasting room.
Look no further.
A small family run winery in Russian River Valley that is making big noise in Wine Country these days with an ever growing fan base among Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lovers – BUCHER WINES.
Since planting their first block in Russian River Valley in 1997, the Bucher Family has been passionate about growing Pinot Noir for exceptional local wineries including Williams Selyem, Merry Edwards, Ramey Wine Cellars, En Route, and more. In 2011, the family started making their own wines as well. See our videos below for a virtual tour of this amazing property!!
With the help of their winemaker Adam Lee, well known from Siduri Wines, Bucher released their first wines in the spring of 2013. The inaugural release of the estate-grown 2011 Pinot Noir was very limited, only 160 cases produced, and 90 cases of 2012 Russian River Chardonnay. Small batch wineries, run by passionate people… my favorite kind of brand.
Both wines quickly sold out!! The second vintage gave them more opportunity to showcase the exceptional fruit they farm and really show off the individual terroir characteristics in the glass.
Bucher Wines offers tastings at Grand Cru Custom Crush in the Russian River Valley!!
Taste their line up of estate-grown Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay and Rosé at Grand Cru Custom Crush in Sonoma County, California. Specifically, the city of Windsor.
Reservations can even be made online through their system. Wines are available for purchase following a tasting at Grand Cru, or visitors can actually just stop by Grand Cru during normal business hours to purchase Bucher current release wines without a tasting appointment.
How cool is that?!?
Fantastic idea because I love their Pinot Noir and this way, I know where to pick up a bottle on the way to a lunch date, or evening shenanigans. Speaking of shenanigans…
I had the pleasure of meeting John & Diane at an artisanal cheese festival that they had collaborated with. They were pouring some fantastic Pinot Noir that paired perfectly with the food and I was hooked. They were fun people to sip with and were my overall favorite wine at the event.
I was also honored to be invited to the family home to tour, sip and chat with Diane on a future date. Which of course I did! It was a blast and like I said above, it was one of those intimate, off the grid, family winery experiences that many of us seek.
Wearing too many hats to list, Diane keeps things moving at Bucher Wines. Her primary goal is to connect with as many folks as possible, getting them to taste the Bucher Vineyard wines… and that she does… Like a champ!!
She is much fun to sip and hang with. I also enjoy seeing her around town at events and also at local parties. And you know we love our wine shindigs here in Sonoma County so luckily, I get to visit with her a lot.
She is often found pouring wine for restaurateurs, retailers, and public events. Husband, John, is usually busy working on the family farm (which his parents founded) or standing beside his beautiful wife pouring for guests at wine events.
They care about the land, the animals and the environment that they all live in at Bucher Farms in Healdsburg.
On the property, next to the family home and all those wine grapes is the family run organically farmed 700 cow dairy farm. The organic sustainable practices used on the dairy farm carry over into the sustainable practices used in the vineyard.
The vineyard blocks are comprised of several clones as well as various rootstocks. The small, diversified blocks are perfect for artisanal, hand crafted wine production!!
‘A ground to glass’ journey into the bottle.
From the owners: My family strives to produce the best agricultural crops possible. For over 60 years, we have taken tremendous pride in producing quality products. Bucher Farms works closely with our winery partners, from bud break through harvest, to make sure the best fruit possible is delivered for wine production. We are excited to take the same dedication to produce the best wine from Bucher Vineyard. The best Pinot Noir starts in the vineyard, and we look forward to sharing our ‘ground to glass’ journey with you!
~ John Bucher
- 91 on 2017 Rose of Pinot Noir awarded 91 Points from Wine Enthusiast
- 2013 Bucher Vineyards Pinot Noir awarded 91 Points from Wine Enthusiast
- 2012 Bucher Vineyards Pinot Noir awarded 92 Points from Pinot Report & 91 Points from Wine Enthusiast
- All of the Bucher Wines show a polished and delicate intensity, Doug Wilder, Purely Domestic Wine Report
I couldn’t agree more with the experts in this case! The Bucher family grows some amazing grapes. Recently I was invited to a brunch tasting with the Bucher family and friends by wine event planner extraordinaire, Emily Martin of Emily Martin Communications and Events.
She also throws the best party and guests leave truly getting to know the wines, the people who make them and also becomes familiar with the land they are grown on. There was even an opportunity to meet one of the Bucher’s newest baby cows!! How cute is that?!?
- Family Run: With over 3500 wineries in California we are proud of our family run
winery, with our estate grapes grown on our family farm, Bucher Farms. On the farm we
also have 700+ milking cows and are one of Clover Dairy’s largest producers. 
Burgundian Varietals: Bucher Wines produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Rose of Pinot
Noir made from the Russian River Valley. Our wine’s are 100% Estate (all sourced from
Bucher’s Vineyards).- Highly acclaimed winemaker: Adam Lee. Over the past 20+ Years, Pinot Noir specialist
Adam Lee has attainted a cult-like following for his Winemaking skills and a reputation
as one of California’s top winemakers after founding Siduri (which has seen been sold to
Jackson Family Wines). Adam now works on various projects including Bucher Wines,
Clarice Wines and other projects outside of the Sonoma region. - Accessible price points: We believe in sharing our wines with those who enjoy high
quality, flavorful Russian River wines so they are accessibly priced starting at $25 (Rose),
to $40 (Chardonnay), and Pinot Noirs range from $40 – $65.
Bucher Wines
(by appointment only)
Tastings and Tours available at the estate vineyard or at Grand Cru Custom Crush in Windsor, California.
Please see their website link above for more or to book an appointment online.
