What’s rarer than a New Caledonian owlet-nightjar sighting? A pedigreed Russian River Chard for $18, for one. If you missed your window of opportunity on this last time, today’s second flight of “Vivienne” deserves your full attention.

In any given vintage, Russian River Chardonnay raw grapes could run you near what this bottle costs. Which explains the original release price of $52. And consider other Chards you’ll find on the shelf for under $20. An endless stream of mass-produced, soulless bottles awaits.

Which makes this a rare sight indeed.

Crafted as the tiniest lot by a truly boutique operation. As any small business owner knows, those days often stretch deep into the night. Hence, explains Bird of Night proprietor and winemaker Shane Keck, “I chose the image of a barn owl for my labels because I want the wine to represent who I am.”

And when his wines met our palates at a recent Friday panel, we knew there was more to the story. You see, Shane Keck learned the ropes at wineries that DEFINE greatness in the Russian River Valley and beyond: Cobb, Hirsch, Anthill Farms, and Martinelli. A-ha, we said, it’s obvious these delicious wines are made by someone who knows exactly what it takes to excel.

Employing a painfully slow “Champagne cycle” press, wild native yeasts, and neutral oak, the result is an electric, Burgundy-inspired masterpiece of tension, minerality, and texture. It’s a masterclass in minimal intervention, and we’ve secured the drop. In the glass, you’ll find a world-class Chardonnay that exudes a mélange of green apple, citrus, and melon, with a touch of lemon custard, culminating in a long, lively finish that dances on its tiptoes with bright acidity. Masterfully done, indeed.

At $18, this is not a deal, but an outrageous steal. Too bad they make a mere 3-4 barrels of each of their brilliant releases. We naturally snagged all they have of this, AND another vintage you’ll see rolling out once it sells out.

And sell out they do. It’s just a question of time.