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BENZIGER FARMING PRACTICES
THE SONOMA MOUNTAIN ESTATE-BIODYNAMICS
A Sonoma Mountain Vineyard Rooted in Vitality
Breathtaking beauty and a dynamic personality are a rare combination. Which is why the Benziger family is doubly blessed to farm winegrapes on their stunning 85-acre Sonoma Mountain estate ranch that encompasses 29 distinct blocks of enological charisma.
Geographically unique, the Benziger family ranch sits in its own valley, 800 feet above sea level. The property, which resembles a 360-degree bowl, is planted to 42 acres of winegrapes. The unusual terrain, formed by volcanic explosions from Sonoma Mountain some two million years ago, is ideal for winegrowing, as it provides a variety of sun exposures, elevations, soil profiles and drainage.
A growing season of warm to hot days and cool nights makes Sonoma Mountain ideal for the cultivation of Cabernet Sauvignon. For this reason, 65 percent of the Benziger estate vineyard is planted to the varietal. Much of the remaining acreage is devoted to other classic Bordeaux varieties including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel also thrive on the property.
The diversity of growing conditions on the ranch allows the Benzigers to micro-farm their vineyard for specific flavors. Over the years, the Benziger Sonoma vineyard has become a viticultural classroom for the family's close network of 50 growers.
One of the most important lessons taught among the Benziger's carefully tended vines is that of Biodynamics. The Benzigers began conversion to Biodynamics in 1997, and in 2001 became one of only a handful of vineyards in North America to be certified Biodynamic by the Demeter Association.
The majority of high-quality grapes grown on the Benziger estate are used in the creation of the newly released Tribute, a Bordeaux-style blend crafted by Winemaker Mike Benziger. As a visionary and student of life and the land, Mike immediately saw the potential of the Sonoma Mountain vineyard property, when he discovered it more than two decades ago. He also knew he had a great deal to learn about the land, so rich in geographic diversity.
Climate
The climate at the ranch is influenced by the topography of Sonoma Mountain, which stands 2,250 feet above sea level and whose western side blocks the fog that flows off the Pacific Ocean, located just 20 miles to the west. This creates maximum sun exposure for the vines. The property also enjoys the cooling influence of the nearby ocean and San Francisco Bay. As a result, in June, July and August, the temperature ranges from daytime highs of between 80 F and 90 F to nighttime lows of between 50 F and 55 F. This broad temperature range promotes grapes with more acidity and greater intensity of flavor and color.
Soil
To achieve the purest expression of vineyard character in the wine, the Benzigers embrace a winegrowing philosophy that emphasizes vital soils, naturally maintained. Soil on the Benziger ranch is revitalized through a variety of Biodynamic practices including the application of nutrient-rich compost and the planting of cover crops. Healthy soils allow roots to fan out and grow deep, providing a better balance between the root system below and plant growth above. This results in stronger vines and fruit with more intense, site-specific flavors.
The Benziger Sonoma vineyard is defined by diverse soil types containing a variety of components including ash, welded tuff, obsidian, volcanic rock, basalt-dark fine-grained lava, chalk, clay and argilla. Deep layers of volcanic soil, high in minerals and porous in nature are found throughout the Benziger vineyard, due to its proximity to Sonoma Mountain.
Wholistic Farming
Guided by the belief that a healthy, Biodynamic environment promotes natural disease protection, yields the highest quality fruit and produces wines that most authentically represent the vineyard, the Benziger estate vineyard is a model of wholistic farming.
Since 1987, the Benzigers have practiced natural pest control at their Sonoma Mountain ranch. The elimination of all pesticides was achieved largely through the planting of three wildlife sanctuaries (land devoted to plants that attract beneficial mites and bugs that prey on insects harmful to grapevines), as well as wetlands, gardens and careful cover crop rotation.
Biological composts from the byproducts of winemaking and farming are used to restore the land with the exact components extracted through grape cultivation and harvesting. Wastewater from the winemaking process is also recycled through constructed wetlands and used to irrigate the vineyards and landscaping.
The Benzigers plant a variety of cover crops to replenish the land, combat erosion, control vine vigor and discourage weeds. Depending on the block, these include green mulch, annual rye grass, zorro fescue, blando brome, rose and crimson clover, mustard, Austrian winter peas and bell beans, and oats.
In 1999, the California Environmental Protection Agency honored Benziger Family Winery for its environmental preservation with the prestigious IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Innovator Award. They were only the second winery in 10 years to receive the award. The same year, Benziger received both the Bay Area Green Business Award and the Sonoma County Green Business Award for environmental leadership.
Winegrowing
To ensure wines that express the specific characteristics and many nuances of the 29 distinct winegrowing blocks on the estate vineyard, Benziger tends its vines for low, intense yields. This is accomplished in a variety of ways including trellising, conservative pruning, individualized canopy management and deficit irrigation-the practice of challenging plants by feeding them a little less water than they crave.
Benziger uses eight different types of rootstock matched to specific soil types and moisture levels. Vine growth is observed daily, and deficit irrigation is used to control canopy growth and limit berry size. This increases the skin-to-juice ratio, which results in greater intensity in the wine.
Three types of trellising are used to take advantage of the various sun exposures on the Benziger's Sonoma vineyard. They include: vertical, head-pruned and Lyre. Varietals are planted strategically so that the same grape type receives sun at different times of day. This provides the greatest diversity of flavors for blending.
Samples of shoots and canes from each vineyard block are weighed to calculate an optimal pruning method for each block. To balance vine vigor against the amount of fruit, vines are thinned to four to six shoots per linear foot and all secondary growth is removed. Green berries are dropped at veraison to encourage the most balanced vines. Each vine is visited about 20 times a year with the goal of uniform ripening among all blocks.
At harvest, which typically occurs between mid-September and late-October, each of the 29 vineyard lots are individually harvested. The lots are kept separate through fermentation and aging to achieve the fullest expression of their individual personalities, and offer the greatest flexibility in blending.
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