The Family Winery with a Pedigree

Berthoud Winery Releases New Estate Bottled Bordeaux Blend Named Ursus Minor

The boutique, family-owned and operated, Berthoud Winery in Sonoma has flown quietly under the radar since its inaugural vintage in 1998, but with the release of their 2003 Ursus Minor they have decided to go public. Owner/Winemaker Mike Berthoud (pronounced “bear two”) announced the release of the estate bottled wine which is a Bordeaux blend comprised of 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 14 percent each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot along with 1 percent each of Malbec and Petite Verdot. Only 152 cases were produced and the wine sells for a retail price of $24 a bottle. The wine can be purchased by going to www.berthoudwinery.com and at the Mayo Family Winery in Glen Ellen and local Sonoma retailers.

Berthoud Winery is distinctly a family affair, but one with a solid pedigree. Mike Berthoud received his degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California at Fresno. He worked at Chateau St. Jean under the directorship of Dick Arrowood, who took Berthoud along with him when he opened his own winery. Berthoud served as winemaker for Arrowood Vineyards and Winery for 15 years. In 2004 he took over the reins as winemaker for Mayo Family Winery, where he continues to work even while he runs his own Berthoud Winery.

Berthoud points to his parents as the source of his love of the wine life. His French Swiss father Claude, and his Dutch mother Ann came to America as immigrants. They settled in Sonoma and by the time Mike Berthoud was 11 years old, he was already working in the family vineyard and helping his dad make wine. “They say about me ‘né dans la cuve’ which means I was born in the vat,” he explains. “Growing up, my parents taught me that life was about family, food and friends and that wine was just a part of that life. Every year at harvest, my Dad would set the day for picking and dozens of friends would come to help. When we finished, my Mom would serve a giant meal and everyone would eat and drink wine.” This time honored tradition continues at Berthoud Winery to this day.

Berthoud Winery’s current releases include the 2003 Ursus Minor at $24 per bottle, the 2004 Ursus at $36 per bottled and a 2004 Syrah at $24 per bottle. All of the wines will likely benefit from more aging, but they are soft and supple and ready to drink now.

In addition to the red wines, Berthoud Winery makes one white wine: Chasselas Doré. Chasselas is the most widely planted white grape in Switzerland, but remains virtually unknown in the United States. Berthoud discovered a small block of Chasselas, planted in 1904, growing on the Pagani Ranch. Mindful of his Swiss heritage, he contracted to purchase the entire block which yielded a paltry two tons of grapes. Chasselas Doré is made to emulate the best wines of Switzerland. The wine is clean, crisp, low in alcohol with an ever-so-slight hint of effervescence. It carries the flavor of ripe nectarine and peach with a crispness that must be experienced to appreciate. Berthoud Winery Chasselas Doré sells for $25 per bottle and less than 120 cases are produced annually.

The Berthoud family saga continues into the third generation. Mike’s wife Shawn runs the office and helps with punch downs during harvest. Son Alec helps in the vineyard and with bottling. His daughter Kayla is in her fourth year at UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology. She spent last summer interning at Gloria Ferrer Winery and plans on a future career in winemaking. Mike says he tried to talk her out of winemaking as a career. Kayla responded, “I like the way you live, Dad.”

Mike Berthoud is a highly respected winemaker with 28 years of professional winemaking experience at some of Sonoma’s most renowned wineries. Berthoud Winery is his singular, artisanal personal project. The wines are unique, delicious and very rare. Berthoud wines are available for sale at the Mayo Family Winery tasting room in Glen Ellen located at the corner of Highway 12 and Arnold Drive. You may also arrange to purchase the wines direct from the winery by visiting their website www.berthoudwinery.com.