Wines

2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Obsidian Point

  • AVA: Sonoma Mountain
  • Vineyard: Benziger Estate
  • Barrels Produced: 15
  • Bottled: July 2008
  • Released: January

VINEYARD | Named for the volcanic rock Obsidian found on our property, this wine is grown on our certified-Biodynamic Sonoma Mountain estate. The Benziger property resembles a 360-degree bowl with a variety of sun exposures, elevations, soil profiles and drainage. The mountainous terrain and proximity of the Pacific Ocean, located just 20 miles to the west, influence the climate on the estate. The result is a broad temperature range of warm days and cool nights during the growing season, which encourages grapes with balanced acidity, intense flavors and aromas.

VINTAGE | The 2006 vintage was truly a year won in the vineyard. A record 10 day heat spike 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. But by late October we 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 | Obsidian Point is a wine that showcases the diversity of terroir within individual plots of the Benziger Family Estate Vineyard. This wine is made with the most traditional handson methods. The grapes were hand sorted in the vineyard, fermented in small tanks and serviced by hand with love and
care. Native yeast and malolactic bacteria were employed throughout. The wine was aged in 35% new French oak and bottled in July of 2008.

VINEYARD CERTIFICATION | certified Biodynamic®by Demeter

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Biodynamics

The highest form of organic farming, Biodynamics takes a holistic view of the farm as a living organism. Homeopathic applications enhance soil vitality, biodiversity helps balance the ecosystem and a closed nutrient system allows a site to develop true terrioir. 3rd party certified by the Demeter Assoication.

Biodynamics at Benziger
 

Organics

Organic grape growing avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and uses natural methods like crop rotation, tillage and natural composts to maintain soil health as well as natural methods to control weeds, insects and other pests.
 

Organics at Benziger

 

Certified Sustainable

Benziger’s third-party certified-sustainable program is one of the most comprehensive of any single winery in the country. The program, which emphasizes environmentally sound growing methods, such as biodiversity, soil revitalization and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the first step in transitioning a vineyard from conventional to organic.

Certified Sustainable
wines at Benziger