Structured. Influential. Proud.

Benziger Family Winery is proud to announce that the 2006 Signaterra Cabernet Sauvignon, Three Blocks was awarded BEST OF CLASS in the prestigious 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Grown in the heart of Sonoma Valley, Three Blocks is a signature wine. The individuality of the vineyard, the fingerprint of the vintage and the acumen of the winemaker are joined in each bottle. Expressing the marks of these three forces — earth, nature, and man — is fundamental to our mission, our philosophy and the wine we call Signaterra.

Earth: Rocky soils produce grapes with round, soft, almost sweet tannins, which are exactly what we had in mind for Three Blocks. The low fertility soils of Sonoma Valley have excellent drainage, meaning strong roots must develop in order to find water. Vines with deep root penetration are also best able to capture the distinctiveness of the growing site. Grapes for Three Blocks are predominately grown using Biodynamic® methods.

Nature: Tucked in the eastern foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains in the heart of Sonoma Valley, the Cabernet and Merlot selected for Three Blocks are grown in vineyard blocks positioned for optimum sun exposure, so the grapes ripen evenly. Tall tree lines surround the vineyard, protecting the sites from the sometimes fierce Sonoma Valley winds.

Man: By our estimate we handle each vine at least 15 times before harvest. We see each opportunity - pruning, thinning, green dropping under-ripe clusters - as a way to check in with the vine and proactively anticipate its needs. We harvested at night to protect the integrity of the fruit. Native yeast fermentation and French oak barrel aging added nuance and complexity.