Award for Environmental Stewardship

Posted on April 13, 2015 by - Winery Accolade

Benziger Family Winery has been named as the recipient of the Inaugural Green Medal Award for Environmental Stewardship, April 10, 2015

Mike Benziger will be traveling to UC Davis to accept one of four special awards being given by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. This inaugural green medal award recognizes significant achievement in sustainable winegrowing and we are proud to be the recipient of the Environment Award. For more information on the award, visit http://www.greenmedal.org/

10 Earth Day events to enjoy in Wine Country

Posted on April 13, 2015 by - Winery Accolade

Press Democrat, By Diane Peterson, April 9, 2015

 The movement dedicated to the health and welfare of the planet has taken root in Wine Country, where you can find all kinds of family-friendly events held at gardens, parks, rivers and other outdoor venues.

Here’s are 10 places you can teach the kids how to love their Mother Earth:

3 – Benziger Family Winery will celebrate Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the ranch with a workshop on how to make biodynamic tea for the garden, along with other green practices. For adults, there will be a Bordeaux tasting of Benziger estate wines. $25. 1883 London Ranch Rd.

Read the full article here: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/entertainment/3778091-181/earth-day-offers-a-world?menu

Seven Great California Pinot Noirs to Try This Year

Posted on April 13, 2015 by - Wine Accolade

Forbes, By Katie Kelly Bell

The wonderful world of California pinot noir is as dazzling as ever as winemakers from regions such as the Sonoma Coast, Santa Barbara and Anderson Valley continue to produce elegant, vivid examples of this beguiling grape. Frankly, they just get better every year, and more expensive, unfortunately. At this point, they are still cheaper than world-class Burgundies of similar caliber, so stock the cellar while you can. Or enjoy your own Carpe Vinum moment and plan a dinner at home, with a beautiful piece of salmon and pop the cork on any one of these wines below.

2012 De Coelo Pinot Noir Terra Neuma-–This biodynamically farmed winery consistently crafts some of my favorite California pinot noirs. The wines are layered, complex and rich without being over-the-top in alcohol or weight. Elegance and restraint are the watchwords with this wine, silky with dark berry notes, warm spices. This is a wine from the Benziger family—leaders in sustainability and biodynamic farming practices.
Find full article here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2015/04/13/seven-great-california-pinot-noirs-to-try-this-year/

This gift should be in your glass

Posted on December 30, 2014 by - Wine Accolade

Examiner.com, By Julia Hollister, December 22, 2014

“So, you received a little windfall for Christmas and decided to spend part of it on yourself. That’s great idea and Benziger Family Winery has a suggestion.

“Tribute” – a Bordeaux blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon – is a first of its kind biodynamic (the holistic form of organic agriculture) wine from Sonoma County and one of the first in North America. This very special 2011 cabernet is $80.

The cool growing season allowed vines to create lush canopies and long hang times for complex flavors.

This wine is more than just a cabernet,” said Mike Benziger. “It’s a destination and an experience.”

The first sip explodes with cranberry and boysenberry aromas and a second sip brings forth rose petals and black tea. But the reward is soft spice and berry flavors with heaping helpings of plum and cassis.

“The mid-palate is full with silk-like textures,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite Tribute’s to date and was created to be able to age for the next 15-18 years.”

So, it’s an investment too.”

To read the full article click here.

Spirits and Wine: A 2014 Holiday Gift Guide

Posted on December 12, 2014 by - Wine Accolade

The Daily Meal, By Gabe Sasso, Special Contributor, December 12, 2014

“This Bordeaux-inspired blend is composed largely of cabernet sauvignon (65 percent), with dollops of merlot (10 percent), cabernet franc (10 percent), petit verdot (10 percent), and malbec (five percent). It comes entirely from a biodynamic-certified estate vineyard in Sonoma County. Ripe plum, blackberry, and violet aromas abound on the nose. Dried dark berry fruits accompanied by bits of kirsch liqueur fill out the sumptuous palate along with black tea. Continued rich, elegant, and well-proportioned dark fruit flavors continue through the finish along with earth and cocoa. This wine has a particularly impressive length, depth, and grace for a 2011. It’s delicious now but will age beautifully over the next dozen years.”

Full article is found here.

Holiday Gifts Under $50: 17 Presents For The Gourmand

Posted on December 12, 2014 by - Wine Accolade

Prevention, By Jessica Chia, December 12, 2014

“Wine can be certified sustainable, too. Or so we learned when we sampled this duo—a lively, creamy 2012 Sonoma County Chardonnay and a rich 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon— that will put an end to the “red or white?” conundrum this holiday season.”

Read complete article by clicking here.