Top 10 organic wines

Posted on July 13, 2014 by - Wine Accolade

Gayot, The Guide to the Good Life, July 2014

Check out Gayot’s list of organic wines from around the world and see for yourself if you can taste the difference.

8. Benziger 2011 Joaquin’s Inferno

Sonoma Mountain, California

Named for vineyard foreman Joaquin Corona, this Demeter-certified biodynamic wine is an interesting blend of 61 percent Zinfandel, 30 percent Petite Sirah and 9 percent Grenache. Full-bodied and complex, the 2011 Joaquin’s Inferno features ripe boysenberry, raspberry and huckleberry flavors with hints of vanilla and smoke

Rating: 15/20
Price: $65

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Shades of Green

Posted on July 3, 2014 by - Winery Accolade

Beverage Media Group, July 2014, By Pam Straver and WR Tish

So, when even green practitioners are hesitant to toot their own horns, it’s easy to see how “sustainababble” can grab hold of consumer consciousness. How to tell the Real Deals from the Hot Air? One easy way is to start with the Biodynamic producers. These eight each hold 100 or more acres and account for 58% of the Biodynamic grape acreage in the U.S.: Grgich Hills Estate, Napa, 366 acres; Bonterra, Mendocino, 290; Montinore Estate, Oregon: 270; Maysara, Oregon, 250; Frey Vineyards, Mendocino, 175; Beckmen Vineyards, Santa Barbara County, 165; Cooper Mountain, Oregon, 123; Benziger, Sonoma, 110.

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Best Tasting Rooms In Napa And Sonoma: Four To Try

Posted on July 2, 2014 by - Pinot

Forbes, Travel, 

Now you can’t swing a stick in wine country without hitting a packed tasting room and a hefty fee. Yet, along with the crowds and fees we’ve seen a surge in inventive offerings and unique tasting experiences. Vintage verticals, food and wine pairings, wine blending sessions…if you can conceive of it, someone is doing it. Below you’ll find four of my current favorite tasting experiences, each with their own personality.

The Pinot Experience: Benziger’s Pinot Parlor
The newly minted Pinot Parlor at Benziger winery specializes in, yes, Pinot Noir. But, what I love most about this concept is the seated singular focus on one varietal from a range of appellations. The Benzigers also farm most of their land biodynamically, which you will also learn more about—and it’s my personal opinion that biodynamic wines have a unique purity in taste. You’ll get to sample at least five different wines (from the de Coelo and Signaterra labels) and in the process learn about clones and why certain ones do better in certain soils and climates. During the experience you’ll have a guide to talk you through each wine. This is absolutely worth the effort if you desire to know and understand more about Pinot Noir. $50 per person
10:30am & 2pm.

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6 Perfect Days in Napa Valley (and Beyond): A Beauty-Centric Escape to Wine Country

Posted on June 27, 2014 by - Winery Accolade

Vogue,  By Calin Van Paris, June 27, 2014

Each summer, sun-seeking vacationers flock to Sonoma and Napa Valleys for a much-needed dose of vitamin D, a sampling of California wine country’s best vintages—and the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. Many of the region’s most charming hotels double as beauty meccas, with on-site spas that source their local ingredients from the surrounding land and spectacular views that offer a new backdrop for a favorite workout. Here, our six-day guide to navigating these pastoral havens. From a healing, mineral-rich mud treatment and glorious afternoon hike to a must-try dinner spot and a sweet treat, they’re mandatory stops for those in search of the ultimate adventure.

DAY 6

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

DAY TRIP: The Benziger Family Winery’s tram tour explores the art of biodynamic and organic wine cultivation, taking visitors through the crush pad into the wine caves where the vintages are made.
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Cabernet Sauvignon for Every Budget

Posted on June 1, 2014 by - Wine Accolade

Four El Magazine, Page 44, By Michelle Lyn, June 2014

“If you like your red wine full-bodied and “jammy,” Cabernet Sauvignon is a great varietal for you. If you don’t really know what full-bodied and “jammy” means, but you know you like red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon is still probably the best varietal for you. It’s one of the most widely recognized red wine grape varieties, and it’s grown in nearly every major wine producing country in the world.”

 $25 and Under

Benziger ($20)

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Best California Wineries to Visit

Posted on October 3, 2013 by - Winery Accolade

Partners

Food &Wine Magazine, By Megan Krigbaum, Stephanie Zhang, October 2014

“California has thousands of winery tasting rooms, but the 75 here offer new and unforgettable experiences. They’re pairing wines with smoked trout, tacos or local cheeses; putting guests in the vineyards on bikes, tractors and six-wheeled army trucks; and pouring tastes of wines you’ll never find anywhere else. To make the most of any winery visit, always call a week or two ahead to find out tasting and touring hours and whether you’ll need an appointment.

Biodynamic farming and winemaking can be hard to understand without seeing them in action. Benziger gives guests a crash course with a tractor tour through its organically farmed vineyards and gardens, which grow herbs for tonics, with a stop in the naturally cooled cellar. benziger.com”

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