We first encountered Gundlach Bundschu, or GunBun as many call it, in 2011, when we were producing our Vivo in Vino music and wine series. Our intimate little NYC series was starting to get some attention, and many people started telling us about a winery out in California that also loved pairing music with wine, Gundlach Bundschu.
GunBun’s connection to music comes from its owner Jeff; you see, not only does Jeff make killer wine, but he also has incredible taste in music. The winery is so passionate about the pairing of music and wine that they even built a music venue right on the vineyard property. Though we’ve never attended a show, we’ve been told it’s one of the best places to see a concert, period.
We can’t prove this scientifically, but we’ve always felt that there’s a deep connection between people who create beauty, such as wine and music. Jeff seems to know this as well, which is why music is a huge part of GunBun. Also, his awesome taste in music just makes us love his wine that much more. Think Grizzly Bear, Phantogram, etc.
But enough about GunBun and their music tastes, these guys also make absolutely incredible wine. They’re the oldest family owned winery in California, and they know what they’re doing. Their Estate Vineyard Mountain Cuvee is a terrific, highly drinkable blend of almost every red grape you know – it contains Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Malbec – and it can be found for only around $20.
On top of it all, GunBun is committed to supporting independent musicians, which makes us love them even more. They’re a great winery to have on your radar.
P.S. They’re also known for Merlot, which they prove is not dead, as the movie Sideways would claim, and they have a killer video to prove it: