2008-01-31
Benziger Family Winery
A Return to the Nature of Great Wine
A leader in the American Biodynamic® wine movement, Benziger Family Winery is a favorite destination for wine enthusiasts interested in wines with a profoundly delicious sense of place. Each day, the Benzigers welcome visitors to explore the vineyards, gardens and buzzing wildlife sanctuaries on their 85-acre Sonoma Mountain estate.
Situated in the just above the cozy town of Glen Ellen, Calif., the Benziger estate offers a Sonoma County wine experience unlike any other. Several times a day, visitors can join one of Benziger’s knowledgeable guides for a 45-minute adventure in winegrowing via a tractor-pulled tram tour of the family ranch.
In 2000, when Benziger became the first certified-Biodynamic vineyard estate in Sonoma County, the winery tour guides became experts of this high-level organic farming method. As the tram winds its way through the vineyards, visitors enjoy a firsthand look at the vines, get insight into sustainable winegrowing at Benziger and breathtaking views of the property. Each tram tour concludes with a visit to the estate’s 28,000 square feet of underground caves, followed by a tasting of Benziger wines.
A visit to the winery is also an opportunity to learn how the Benzigers use sustainable farming to capture the unique characteristics of their estate and cultivate true-to-varietal grapes with distinctive flavors, character and aromas associated specifically with their property.
As the vineyards on Sonoma Mountain are especially suited to the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon, the Benzigers have planted 65 percent of their estate to this varietal. Much of the remaining acreage is devoted to other classic Bordeaux varieties including Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel also thrive on the property and are crafted into limited-production wines available exclusively at the winery.
Inspired by their experience in natural estate winegrowing, the Benzigers have created the most comprehensive sustainable farming certification program of any single winery in the country. In 2006, they invited all of the winegrowing families with whom they work to participate. Today, many of these vineyards are cultivating their most distinctive grapes to date. The truly standout properties provide the fruit for Benziger’s single-vineyard wines, many of which are also available through the tasting room.
Benziger’s warm and friendly tasting room staff pours samples of the entire family of wines including Benziger Family, Reserve, Vineyard Designate and Sonoma Mountain estate wines. The tasting room and well-stocked gift shop are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Vineyard tram tours are offered daily. Tickets are $10 and seating is limited. Benziger Family Winery is located at 1883 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442. For more information, call 1-888-490-2739 or visit www.benziger.com.
A short drive from Benziger Family Winery is the family’s sister winery: Imagery Estate. At Imagery Estate Winery & Art Gallery, an unconventional approach inspires richly expressive wines and a wine drinking experience that broadens the palate.
Dedicated to crafting small quantities of rare wines from uncommon varieties and exceptional vineyards, Imagery Estate Winery is home to a spacious tasting room, gift shop and extensive contemporary art collection. Imagery invites visitors to enjoy a glass of wine and take a stroll through its private collection of more than 170 works of art. For more information, call 877-550-4278 or visit www.imagerywinery.com.
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