2006 Sauvignon Blanc
Shone Farm,
Russian River Valley
Alcohol 14.5%  |  Total Acidity .79  |  pH 2.98
837 Cases Produced

Wine Notes [PDF]

Tasting Notes | Stainless steel fermentation gives this wine a deliciously crisp and clean character, which is complemented by bright citrus flavors and floral aromas. The wine’s generous fruit is in perfect balance with its notable acidic structure. Enjoy with white fish, summer salads or fresh fruit.

Vineyard | High above the coastal fog, this vineyard sits on a benchland island near the Russian River, where growing conditions allow the fruit to mature late into the season, producing an acid backbone that frames the ripe, deep citrus and sweet grapefruit flavors. We’ve cultivated grapes on Shone Farm for more than a decade, and each year the quality of fruit exceeds our expectations.

Vintage | The 2006 vintage was truly a year won in the vineyard. A heat spike that lasted a record 10 days in July had growers nervous about sunburn on the ripening grapes. Then came the rains, which sent us rushing to leaf the vines, allowing sunshine and air to reach the clusters. Botrytis was a threat for a time, especially to Chardonnay. But late October saw a change in the weather and a change in our expectations for the vintage. The rains stopped and the climate warmed, giving grapes the time on the vines needed to reach full maturation. Overall, it was a late harvest of excellent quality fruit.

Winemaking | We pick the grapes in the cool early morning hours to preserve the quality and character of the fruit. To promote clarity and refreshing crispness in the wine, we whole cluster press the grapes and allow the free run juice to settle and cold-ferment in stainless steel. The wine was then stored until bottling in March of 2007.

Benziger Farming Practices | At Benziger Family Winery, we are dedicated to winemaking that reveals the true character of the vineyard, the varietal and the vintage in certified-sustainable, -organically grown and -Biodynamic® wines defined by individuality and the passion of the people who make them. Through our commitment to natural farming and environmentally and socially responsible business practices, we strive for sustainability and the preservation of our Sonoma Mountain family winery for generations to come.

This wine was made with grapes grown by sustainable farming methods and is in-transition to certified-organic. Our sustainable philosophy promotes natural vineyard management, restoration of the land and biodiversity on the estate. We believe these practices result in wines that reflect the authentic flavors, aromas and character of the vineyard.