Venture Off the Beaten Path for a Taste of Calistoga Cabernet

Cabernet Lovers will Race to Bennett Lane for a Sneak Peek of the 2009 Vintage, February 4th

The first weekend in February is all about Cabernet in the valley as wineries up and down Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail release their luscious Napa Cabernets. One of our favorite stops every year is Bennett Lane Winery in Calistoga, known for its succulent Cabernets, their signature “feasting wine,” Maximus, and for one of the finest visitor experiences in the valley.

Founded by Randy and Lisa Lynch in 2003, Bennett Lane’s off-the-beaten-track location and friendly tasting room offers visitors to Napa a “secret gem” and a great way to learn about – and try – some of Napa’s best wines in a more intimate setting. On Saturday, February 4th, Bennett Lane’s 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($55) and 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($95) will be released and poured for visitors at the tasting room – a special opportunity to get a sneak peek and taste the wines before they are released to the public later this year. The cost for the release event is $25 per person and includes a flight of new releases and select award-winning library releases.

Bennett Lane’s Cabs have continuously garnered critical acclaim. In the short period that the winery has been opened, they have received an incredible 28 scores of 90+ points between Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.  Just last year, the 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve scored 92 points from Parker, 91 points from Wine Spectator, and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Year after year, the popular blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah has received 90 points or above from the critics. The “red feasting wine,” as Maximus is affectionately referred to on the label, demonstrates owners Randy and Lisa Lynch’s commitment to making wine an integral part of entertaining with family and friends.

Bennett Lane’s wines are crafted to be approachable, yet complex – or what owner Randy Lynch calls “the best of both worlds, meaning you can drink them today, but they are structured enough to cellar for several years. My goal is for us to make consistent wines – both in quality and taste – from year to year, so that consumers can trust Bennett Lane wines,” he says.

Only eight years old, Bennett Lane has quickly become one of the top vintners in the valley and has upgraded their tasting room to match the amazing accolades that the wines have received in their first few years. It is fast becoming the must see destination for wine lovers visiting California’s newest AVA. In addition to the new elegantly appointed tasting bar, they are premiering their new custom iPad application for their guests to use for an interactive tasting experience. Guests can not only read the latest reviews and tasting notes – but find interesting food pairing recipes, share their favorite new wines on Facebook and email their personal wine notes home, all while tasting a glass of Napa’s finest. Owner Randy Lynch notes; “As a small winery we strive to not only make the best hand crafted wines available, but also one of the most educational and enjoyable tasting experiences around for guests coming to visit one of the premier wine growing regions in the world.”

The tasting flight at Bennett Lane is $15 and includes four of Bennett Lane’s wines, the Cabernet, Reserve Chardonnay, Maximus and Merlot. We encourage you to put Bennett Lane on your short-list of must-visit tasting rooms as the production is small and the Cabernets sell out quickly.  Visiting Bennett Lane affords tasters another rarity with a small winery – a likely run-in (and perhaps a last minute barrel tasting if you’re lucky!) with owner Randy Lynch.

Bennett Lane Winery is located in an understated Mediterranean-style building at the secluded and beautiful northern end of the Napa Valley, and is considered well worth the drive. Located at 3340 Highway 128, approximately two miles north of Calistoga, Bennett Lane Winery’s tasting room is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For more information about Bennett Lane Winery, go to www.bennettlane.com or call (707) 942-6684, or toll free at 1-877-MAX-NAPA.