Our family has been growing grapes on Sonoma Mountain for over 30 years. Mike Benziger and his wife, Mary discovered the incredible property that has become our family’s estate winery and home in the late seventies and purchased it with the help of our parents, Bruno and Helen. Soon after, all seven Benziger siblings were living on or close to the ranch as New York transplants in a Sonoma vineyard.
In the mid 90’s, we began transitioning our home ranch to a Biodynamic farm. We learned which flowers attracted the bugs we needed to keep pest populations in control. Habitats were created for birds and owls, and we brought cows, sheep and chickens to live on the property. Once the estate found its balance, the wines did too. From our home ranch came Tribute, the first Biodynamic wines from Sonoma or Napa Counties. Today, we are proud to be living and working on a healthy, vibrant ranch that is home to numerous species of plants, animals and insects and we love sharing this special place with visitors from all over the world.
Acres: 36
Year Planted: 1989-2007
Weather: Warm, Bowl-Shape Vineyard absorbs rain and reflects sun
Soil Type: Volcanic, Goulding Clay, Loam
Grapes Produced: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel
AVA: Sonoma Mountain
Elevation: 440-665 ft
Clones: 7, 15 , 337
2014 Tribute
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91pts
Robert Parker
2015 Tribute
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95pts, Gold, Best of Class
California State Fair
2016 Joaquin’s Inferno
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Gold Medal
SF Chronicle Wine Competition
2017 Paradiso de Maria
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92pts
Wine Enthusiast
