about us
Tucked away on the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail, just 15 minutes east of Paso Robles, Bon Niche is the kind of place you’ll want to linger a little longer. Surrounded by rolling vineyards, wide-open skies, and plenty of friendly faces (both human and furry), our little corner of wine country was created to be shared.
Bon Niche is owned by Melani, a retired Navy nurse who traded scrubs for vines and found a new calling among the grapes. What began as a vineyard planted in 2009 has grown into a true family affair, lovingly cared for by friends, family, and a cute cast of farm animals who steal the spotlight from time to time.
Our philosophy is simple: grow exceptional grapes, make honest wines, and welcome every guest like an old friend. We focus on Bordeaux-inspired varietals and blends, proudly showcasing our SIP Certified estate-grown Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Every bottle reflects the unique character of our vineyard and the land we call home.
Paso Robles Wine Country is in SLO CAL—halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Bon Niche is an invitation to slow down. Sip a glass on the patio, wander the vineyard, meet the animals, watch the sunset paint the hills, and remember that life’s best moments are often the simplest ones.
We believe wine is more than something you pour into a glass—it’s an invitation to gather, celebrate, tell stories, and create new memories. Whether you’re visiting for the afternoon or taking a bottle home to share around your own table, we hope Bon Niche becomes one of your very good places.
We can’t wait to share a glass of wine with you!
About the Crew
Melani, Owner & Winemaker
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. Over the next 10 years, she hosted wine gatherings, taught and took classes, and took an informal but fun approach to learning about wine.
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 the winery pig
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 veraison (when the grapes turn purple and sweet). Anything they can reach is fair game!
See more of their adventures on Instagram @gilbertthewinerypig
Barley, Vineyard Supervisor
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
Larry & the Goats, Ground Management crew
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.
The Sheeps
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
Ruby & Joey, Security Management
To round out the menagerie, we rescued two mini Mediterranean donkeys in the summer of 2024. Both 11 years old, they are super friendly to people, and they’re still getting used to dogs and lambs! They love carrots, apples, and neck rubs.
Donkeys are very protective of each other; Joey defends his sister from anything she is nervous about. They protect their herd, and our hope is they identify all of us as their family and chase any predators off. They are also super adorable!
Papa Don
Melani’s grandfather is a permanent resident of the farm now, and loves taking care of the sheep – especially Blondie, who he bottle-fed for the first 3 months of her life! They are now a bonded pair and can be seen wandering around together. When Papa isn’t with Blondie, you can find him watching the gate while smoking his pipe, or out on the tractor!
