Côte Bonneville
About
We planted classic varietals after tearing out the original orchard. We continue to develop the vineyard with one goal in mind to grow the best grapes possible from our site. Our commitment to producing the highest quality fruit has been appreciated by our winery. We craft estate-grown DuBrul Vineyard grapes into world class wines.
Location Description
Located in the heart of Sunnyside, Washington.
Features
- Crafting estate-grown DuBrul Vineyard grapes into world class wines.
Additional Information
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Winemaker
Kerry received her master's degree in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis, and then assumed the winemaker title in August 2009. She has been immersed in DuBrul Vineyard and Côte Bonneville since the inception, but especially since 2005, when she left engineering.
Kerry Shiels
Kerry gained experience in Napa, California, Argentina, and Australia. She has worked in all aspects of winemaking at Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Folio Fine Wine Partners, Robert Mondavi Winery, Tahbilk, and Tapiz, before returning to Côte Bonneville full time.
History
The Team
The foundation of our enterprise, Kathy planted the DuBrul Vineyard with Hugh in 1992. After realizing the unique nature of DuBrul, Kathy determined to establish Côte Bonneville when their last child went to college. Now, her mission is to showcase the spectacular fruit of the vineyard in world-class wines.
Kathy and Hugh settled in Sunnyside after Hugh completed his orthopedic residency. Kathy practiced physical therapy, raised three beautiful children on the family farm, and now wears many hats at the winery, vineyard, and medical practice.
Hugh Shiels
Hugh has been dubbed the Vineyard Master. He and Kathy Shiels purchased the property for the vineyard in 1991, and they tore out the original apple orchard that winter. Their goal was to improve the vineyard every year, and they have continued to keep this pace decades later.
Hugh and Kathy settled in Sunnyside after Hugh completed his orthopedic surgery training in Memphis. He continues to practice orthopedics part-time, but primarily works with the variables that winegrowing presents each year.
Practices & Techniques
By combining traditional winemaking techniques with cutting edge science, we craft estate-grown DuBrul Vineyard grapes into world class wines. The exceptional winemaking and DuBrul Vineyard character shine through year after year.
The wines of Côte Bonneville have been recognized by consumers and critics alike. The pedigree of DuBrul Vineyard and Côte Bonneville wines can be seen in our consistently high ratings. Vintage after vintage, across publications, the quality of the wines has been recognized, as can be seen here.
Estate Vineyards / AVA
We recognize the microclimates of our 45 acre site and cater to these individually. In distance measured by hundreds of feet or less, we observe different growing conditions and tailor our farming practices to provide for the individual needs of the vine. Low vigor soils combined with our deficit irrigation regimen produce small berries, small clusters, and low yields from our vines.
Our own-rooted vines have a purity of expression of the vine and the soil. The unique flavors and structure of DuBrul grapes have inspired a plethora of vineyard designated wines over the years. Expressing this sense of place is the mission of Côte Bonneville.
DuBrul Vineyard is consistently recognized as one of the top vineyards in Washington State. The vineyard has been honored with the award of Vineyard of the Year in 2007 and again in 2009. DuBrul Vineyard designated wines, from Côte Bonneville and others, have consistently been well received by critics and sought after by consumers world wide.
Awards
2008 Wine Spectator Rising Star
2009 Wine of the Year