Falcons over Napa: Inside Wine Country's most unexpected experience

NAPA, Calif. -- At Bouchaine Vineyards, nestled in the Carneros region of Napa County, where the land opens up toward San Francisco Bay, animals are partners in sustainability. Flocks of sheep graze on the weeds under the vines, and a falcon beats its wings as it staves off flocks of birds. Their efforts do double-duty: keeping away invasives and pests, while attracting wine country visitors eager for a unique experience.

Since 2016, the estate has partnered with falconer Rebecca Rosen of Authentic Abatement to protect its harvest the old-fashioned way: with birds of prey. "Anytime you have an abundance of food, you have an abundance of something wanting to eat it," Rosen says.

The telephone lines bordering the vineyard once sagged with droves of birds that snacked freely on ripening grapes. Rather than reaching for conventional deterrents, Bouchaine leaned into nature's own logic. "Unfortunately, because it's a seasonal flow of birds, there just aren't enough natural predators to keep the balance. So we bring in other predators to help sort of balance things out a little bit."

What began as a pest-control solution has since evolved into one of Napa Valley's most unexpected visitor experiences. Every Friday, guests can slip on a leather glove and feel the weight of a hawk, falcon, or owl land on their arm, wine glass optional. "It's really amazing to be able to share that with people enjoying wine or people coming into Napa that don't necessarily want to enjoy wine but want to have some crazy experience," says Chris Kajani, Bouchaines president and winemaker.

Kajani is herself part of what makes Bouchaine distinctive. Leading a team that includes an all-female vineyard crew, women she calls "phenomenal, so diligent, so incredibly professional and dialed in to these tiny little details." She operates under the guidance of Chairman Tatiana Copeland, who co-owns the estate alongside her husband Gerret from their home in Wilmington, Delaware. Under the Copelands, Bouchaine has expanded its operation with a new hospitality center and a wine cave. "When we had the crazy idea to offer falconry, they said, ' Oh yeah, sure, go for it.' They love a wow factor. They love doing things differently," Kajani proudly says.

The winery, the longest continuously operating in Carneros, now produces 20 wines, from cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Gewurztraminer and Riesling, shaped by the fog and wind rolling in off the Bay. "If you wanted to join a wine club, you can do all white wine, you can do a mix of red and white, you can do all reds, so it's fun to have quite a few things to offer," Kajani says.

And, of course, visitors can also enjoy being a falconer for a day. "It's certainly my bird's favorite place to work," Rosen laughs.

For more information, visit https://bouchaine.com/