The first modern bourbon barrel-aged wine, 1000 Stories by Fetzer Vineyards, was released in the American market in 2014. It wasn’t the first time that American winemakers had used bourbon barrels in winemaking, however.
“I distinctly remember in the early ‘80s, when I was getting started as a winemaker, that getting French oak for wine was a big deal,” Bob Blue, winemaker of 1000 Stories, says. “Since there wasn’t a ton of capital, we used bourbon barrels.”
Modern bourbon barrel-aged wine is less about keeping costs low and more about boosting flavor and richness in wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, red blends, and Chardonnay. “When we use bourbon barrels to finish a portion of the wine, we introduce a different, more intense set of aromas and flavors that would be less pronounced in traditional wine barrels,” Blue says.