About Us

Bon Niche is a small, SIP Certified vineyard in Paso Wine Country. With 7 acres of Malbec, Petit Verdot, & Cabernet Franc on a hilly, north-facing slope, we are growing a small, carefully managed crop of fruit with the utmost quality in mind, while also caring for our vines to ensure their health and longevity. A small winery exists onsite, and all production is done on property.

Both the winery and vineyard are owned and operated by Melani, a retired Navy nurse who traded scrubs for vines and found a new calling in the cellar. Her philosophy is simple: grow exceptional grapes, make honest wines, and welcome every guest like family. But she can't do it all by herself! Beside the friends and family who step up at every opportunity, she also has a cast of characters who reside here everyday.

Melani’s love of wine started when she was a Navy nurse stationed in Naples, Italy. She fell in love with the way wine brought people together.

In 2018, Melani purchased the existing vineyard and separated from active duty after nearly 14 years, completing her Reserve service and retiring in 2026. She knows the importance of the translation of the Bon Niche name- “a good place.” Through the years, she has come to realize that life is about enjoying the people, the place, and the moment. Wine has brought many people, places, and special moments to life for Melani, and her dream is to create a very good place with great wine.

Gilbert, our first KuneKune pig, joined the farm in November, 2021. He was only 15 pounds and won over many hearts. We have since added more pigs! Together, they wander the vineyards in the morning and nap in the shade in the afternoon. complete with their own pig pond.

KuneKune pigs are grazing pigs, meaning they eat weeds, grass, and low hanging vine shoots. They can’t really reach the fruit, so these guys are the only ones who can travel the vineyard after verasion (when the grapes turn purple and sweet). Anything they can reach is fair game!

See more of their adventures on Instagram @gilbertthewinerypig

Born in 2015, Barley was rescued by Melani when he was nearly a year old. Three-quarters standard poodle and one-quarter St. Bernard (yes, really!), this St. Berdoodle loves being in the vineyard or on the Ranger with Papa Don.

In 2020, Barley was hit by a car and became a tripawd – he’s still a happy dood, and we have been so supported by our community during his recovery. He’s since devoted his time to being our Vineyard Supervisor, chasing squirrels, rabbits, and identifying water leaks!

Follow his antics on Instagram! @barleyvondoodle

Our collection of Nigerian Dwarf goats is led by Larry, who is extremely friendly and hopes you’ll open the treat bin! All of the goats are boys, and they help out with the weeds on the property. They love climbing on cars, trucks, the forklift, the atv… They aren’t allowed to roam during the growing season, so they travel the vineyard in our own “Goat Tractor” (patent pending, ha).

Gandolf, Turk, Graham, Spot, Larry, & Ollie love leftovers, neck scratches, and star thistle.

Goats will eat blooming star thistle (yes really), sage brush, and just about anything else – except grass. We use them to help keep the weeds down during the winter, and whatever spiky thing we remove from the vineyard goes to them.

We started with two “Babydoll” sheep, Elvis & Dolly, and they gave us Prince the following spring. Turns out, they were a little bigger than we thought they should be! We added two registered Babydolls, and they are so much smaller the the others. Blondie joined the herd one winter, when she was born on the vineyard and had to be bottle-fed by Papa for 3 months. We have slowly added to the herd!

Sheep eat grass, some weeds, our roses, and our vine shoots – the “wool” sheep don’t climb, so they do my leafing for me. They also leave little nitrogen deposits every where they go!

Follow them on Instagram! @baa_baa_blondie