September 8, 2010
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Benovia Winery
| Owner(s) | Joe Anderson |
| Web site | www.benoviawinery.com |
| Link to this site |
This new producer in Santa Rosa is a superstar in the making. Owner Joe Anderson has provided the financial support to create a state-of-the-art winery and to resurrect the aging Cohn Vineyard. Talented winemaker Mike Sullivan (who made many brilliant Pinot Noirs at Hartford Family Winery and was named Wine Personality of the Year 2002 by Robert Parker) is at the top of his game. Manager Bob Mosby is the face of Benovia and holds the show together.
It has been a couple of years of anticipation and Benovia has finally released a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir in 2006. Benovia has recently purchased two properties which will eventually increase the estate vineyards to 75 acres. The first is a 40-acre parcel adjacent to the winery property on the north side. New plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir here will come into production in 2013. An old house on the property will be renovated to offer a reception center for wine tastings and dinners. The second property is a cool site for Pinot Noir located on Falstaff Road near Freestone, 3.5 miles north of the Petaluma wind gap. 12 acres of Pinot Noir will be planted and will come into production in 2013 as well. These new properties will allow Benovia to eventually reach 5,000 case production. In the Fall, a Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir and Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir will be released. I have tasted both of these a couple times out of barrel and the Savoy recently after bottling and can tell you these wines are gorgeous, sexy Pinot Noirs. The Benovia Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Rosé are outstanding wines as well. This is a cult producer in the making and I would not hesitate to join the mailing list.
The name, Benovia, is named after the owner's (Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane) fathers. They merged Mary's father's name, Ben, with Joe's father's name Novian, to create Benovia. The name Benovia is a testament to what their fathers taught them about hard work, striving for perfection, and taking pride in what they do.
Tasting is available by appointment. Contact Bob Mosby at 707-526-4441. A nicely appointed three bedroom house on the property is available for rent.
Articles About Benovia Winery
Along the Pinot Trail (8.17 6/21/2010)
Along the Pinot Trail: Pinot Days Southern California 2010 (8.9 1/22/2010)
Anderson Noir Valley Pinot (Pt I) (7.18 5/26/2009)
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival Technical Conference (8.16 6/8/2010)
Benovia Winery (7.6 11/17/2008)
Benovia Winery: Hidden Gem (8.2 10/3/2009)
California Chardonnay Tasting (7.25 9/5/2009)
Pinots from the Edge (6.57 4/7/2008)
Savoy Vineyard: Innovation Leads to Excellence (8.9 1/22/2010)
Sensations (6.61 7/7/2008)
The 9th Annual World of Pinot Noir (7.16 4/18/2009)
Reviewed Wines
2008 Benovia La Pommeriae Pinot Noir
A fall 2010 release and only bottled a few weeks prior so similar to a barrel
sample.
·
Still in a little shock but man, this is great juice. Beautiful fruit core with a tangy citrus note on the fruit filled
finish. Definitely look for this one upon release.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Benovia Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay
125 cases, $35. From the Four Brothers Vineyard owned by
Michael Sullivan and his brothers. Aged 14 months in 40% new French oak.
·
An upfront, charming wine with
pleasing flavors of green apples, citrus fruits and baking spices. This was the first wine the group tasted upon
arriving in the Russian River Valley, and they were stoked. Good.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
About 1,000 cases, $45. Sourced from several vineyards.
·
A
standard bearer for the winery which needs more time to evolve. The potential is obvious. Good.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2008 Benovia La Pommeriae Grass Valley Chardonnay
350 cases, $48.
·
A more serious wine from a
vineyard planted on a former apple orchard farmed by George Martinelli. Bright and crisp with acidity of 3.25,
this complex offering displays flavors of green apples, lemon curd, and minerality. Highly lauded by the wine
press including myself. Very good.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Cohn Vineyard Sonoma County Pinot Noir
A problematic vintage as a fire at the vineyard burned leaves and very little
crop (0.38 tons per acre) ripened.
·
Moderately light garnet color. Alluring heady aromas of
berry jam, spiced cherries, juicy fruit gum and a hint of oak. On the palate the
flavors are exotic with slightly tart dark Pinot fruits, savory green herbs and a touch
of sweet oak. Light on its feet with supple tannins and bright finishing acidity
Reviewed October 3, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $45. Spring release (some availability in the retail
market).
·
Bright, juicy and perfect for drinking now. Sublime melange of fresh-picked berries and cherries on
the nose are echoed in the flavors. Slippery tannins and perky acidity makes this wine a perfect food partner.
Reviewed October 3, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia La Pommeraie Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5%
alc., $48. This vineyard is owned and farmed by George Martinelli and was once
an apple orchard. Planted to high density Dijon 95 and Old Wente clones.
·
The
name, La Pommeraie, French for apple orchard, fits this wine perfectly. Redolent
of fresh green apples on the nose and palate with a perfect touch of toasted oak
and citrus. A dancing Chardonnay that is crisp and fresh, yet rich enough for
hedonists.
Reviewed September 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.,
352 cases, $55. Clones 113,115, Martini 13, Pommard and Calera.
·
This wine
has the whole package. Bright aromas of black cherries, herbs and
Provencal spice. Delicious core of cherries, raspberries and cranberries with
a tasty touch of vanilla cream. Soft and sensual in the mouth with substantial
but caressing tannins, a refreshing spark of acidity, and a ridiculously long
aromatic finish. Still somewhat shy and will reward further patience. Plenty of Pinot
singing.
Reviewed October 3, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.,
$55.
·
Intensely fruity nose with scents of blackberries, raspberries, plums
and a whiff of mocha. A seamless wine with an earth-kissed dark fruit
core that is discreetly rich and crisp, leading to a smooth, long and
satisfying finish. Even better and highly seductive the next day from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle. If you drink now, decant.
Reviewed January 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
200+ cases, $55.
·
Really drinking beautifully now
after some time in the bottle. Displaying that wonderful Savoy earthiness with rich dark fruits and savory herbs.
Delicious.
Reviewed June 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Bella Luna Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 181
cases, $58. The name Bella means “beautiful together” and represents a special
blend of several vineyards from the Russian River Valley.
·
Very charming nose of
black raspberries, forest floor, wine cellar and a hint of smoke. Generous core of
black cherries and black raspberries with a hint of citrus, framed by fine-grain
tannins and offering a huge fruity finish. Still reserved and elusive, but
approachable now. This one aims to please.
Reviewed October 3, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.. 25% whole cluster, aged 17 months
in 40% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderately intense dark and savory berries which are delicious. Lovely
perfume of earth-kissed dark stone fruits and berries with a rich and satiny mouth feel. Very good.
Reviewed June 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $45. It has been a couple
of years of anticipation and Benovia has finally released this wine, its first
Pinot Noir. Benovia has recently purchased two properties which will eventually
increase the estate vineyards to 75 acres. The first is a 40-acre parcel
adjacent to the winery property on the north side. New plantings of Chardonnay
and Pinot Noir here will come into production in 2013. An old house on
the property will be renovated to offer a reception center for wine tastings
and dinners. The second property is a cool site for Pinot Noir located on Falstaff
Road near Freestone, 3.5 miles north of the Petaluma wind gap. 12 acres of Pinot Noir will be
planted and will come into production in 2013 as well. These new properties will allow Benovia to
eventually reach 5.000 case production. In the Fall, a Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir and Savoy Vineyard
Pinot Noir will be released. I have tasted both of these a couple times out of barrel and the Savoy recently
after bottling and can tell you these wines are gorgeous, sexy Pinot Noirs. The Benovia Chardonnay,
Zinfandel and Rosé are outstanding wines in their own right. This is a cult producer in the
making and I would advise you join the mailing list asap.
·
Plenty of berry, earth, game and shroom on the
nose. Rich and ripe plum and blueberry flavors with hints of raisin, accented by toasty oak. The fruit driven
finish is lengthy and tangy.
Reviewed April 7, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 950 cases, $45. A Spring 2008 release.
·
This wine has
opened up quite a bit since last tasted. Pretty aromatics of fresh berries and floral notes. Well-structured and
sinewy with earth-dusted dark berry and plum fruit flavors encased in supple tannins and finishing clean and
bright.
Reviewed November 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 220 cases, $55. Rich Savoy has
been farming this venerable vineyard for 20 years. This wine contains clones 113, 115, Calera, Martini 13 and
Pommard. Each clone is vinified separately and only the best barrels are chosen for the final blend.
·
Fullbodied
and darkly fruited, this wine charms with its vibrant black raspberry and black cherry core of flavors.
Still a little closed and needs to shed some tannins, but the persistent aromatic finish of cherries, herbs, and
new oak is memorable.
Reviewed November 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Winery Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc.,
220 cases, $55. Rich Savoy has farmed this vineyard located west if Philo for 20
years. This wine is composed of multiple clones including Pommard, Calera,
Martini 13 and Dijon 114 and 115, and is typically slow to come around. Each of the
clones were vinified separately with only select barrels included in this bottling.
·
The nose is primal with oak char, dark berries, crusty toast and smoke surfacing.
The wine possesses a solid dark berry core of fruit with plenty of oak char
dominating the fruit at this stage. Silky in texture and nicely composed. Patience
will be needed to fully appreciate this young wine which flashed a lot more fruit
when newly crafted. Still fresh the next day from a previously opened re-corked bottle.
Reviewed May 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Bella Una Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc.,
168 cases, $58. This was known in the barrel as the “proprietary blend”
which doesn’t sound too appealing. Benovia turned to their customers who
came up with the name which means “beautiful together” in Latin.
·
Deep and
darkly colored. Intoxicating and gorgeous aromas of rich black cherry jam
and ripe plums. Would love to bottle this nose. Luscious dark-fruited core
that is rich and plush and nicely spiced with soft tannins and a finish that
gradually fades away with a smooth follow through like a Kobe Bryant jump shot. A
complete wine that offers finesse with power. The Pinot Geek would drink this wine
now while the 2006 Cohn and Savoy Benovia Pinot Noirs develop in the bottle.
Reviewed November 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Cohn Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
$60.
·
The best Pinot yet from this vineyard made famous by
Burt Williams of Williams Selyem and Michael Browne of Kosta Browne. A complete wine displaying
power with elegance.
Reviewed July 30, 2007
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Winery Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
$60. I have tasted this wine several
times both in barrel and in bottle and I can’t wait until August 19 when this and two other equally
superb 2006 Pinot Noirs (Cohn Vineyard and a Proprietary Blend from purchased fruit) are released to
the mailing list.
·
This wine is the whole package. Charmingly dark red fruited with nicely spiced aromatics, a
full onslaught of fresh fruit, an appealing elegance, and an ending so refreshing that it makes you reach
for more. I had to swallow this one.
Reviewed July 7, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Cohn Vineyard Sonoma County Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 220 cases,
$62. At 34 years-old, 9-acre vineyard is one of the oldest in California. Previously,
the vineyard supplied notable producers like Williams Selyem and Kosta Browne, but
it now an estate property of Benovia. Yields in 2006 were 1.1 tons per acre. The
clones are unknown and are planted on St. George rootstock. This wine is darkly
colored.
·
Needs time to open up. Long and persistent scents of red and black
cherries nicely spiced and accented by hints of smoke and white pepper. Juicy
cherry and raspberry fruits fan out nicely on the palate with some minerality and
tartness in the background, leaving a tangerine peel vibe on the lively finish. A
Sarah Palin wine - slightly high-strung and vibrant. This wine will find fans.
Reviewed November 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2008 Benovia La Pommeriae Pinot Noir
A fall 2010 release and only bottled a few weeks prior so similar to a barrel sample. · Still in a little shock but man, this is great juice. Beautiful fruit core with a tangy citrus note on the fruit filled finish. Definitely look for this one upon release. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Benovia Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay
125 cases, $35. From the Four Brothers Vineyard owned by Michael Sullivan and his brothers. Aged 14 months in 40% new French oak. · An upfront, charming wine with pleasing flavors of green apples, citrus fruits and baking spices. This was the first wine the group tasted upon arriving in the Russian River Valley, and they were stoked. Good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
About 1,000 cases, $45. Sourced from several vineyards. · A standard bearer for the winery which needs more time to evolve. The potential is obvious. Good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2008 Benovia La Pommeriae Grass Valley Chardonnay
350 cases, $48. · A more serious wine from a vineyard planted on a former apple orchard farmed by George Martinelli. Bright and crisp with acidity of 3.25, this complex offering displays flavors of green apples, lemon curd, and minerality. Highly lauded by the wine press including myself. Very good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Cohn Vineyard Sonoma County Pinot Noir
A problematic vintage as a fire at the vineyard burned leaves and very little crop (0.38 tons per acre) ripened. · Moderately light garnet color. Alluring heady aromas of berry jam, spiced cherries, juicy fruit gum and a hint of oak. On the palate the flavors are exotic with slightly tart dark Pinot fruits, savory green herbs and a touch of sweet oak. Light on its feet with supple tannins and bright finishing acidity Reviewed October 3, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $45. Spring release (some availability in the retail market). · Bright, juicy and perfect for drinking now. Sublime melange of fresh-picked berries and cherries on the nose are echoed in the flavors. Slippery tannins and perky acidity makes this wine a perfect food partner. Reviewed October 3, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia La Pommeraie Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $48. This vineyard is owned and farmed by George Martinelli and was once an apple orchard. Planted to high density Dijon 95 and Old Wente clones. · The name, La Pommeraie, French for apple orchard, fits this wine perfectly. Redolent of fresh green apples on the nose and palate with a perfect touch of toasted oak and citrus. A dancing Chardonnay that is crisp and fresh, yet rich enough for hedonists. Reviewed September 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 352 cases, $55. Clones 113,115, Martini 13, Pommard and Calera. · This wine has the whole package. Bright aromas of black cherries, herbs and Provencal spice. Delicious core of cherries, raspberries and cranberries with a tasty touch of vanilla cream. Soft and sensual in the mouth with substantial but caressing tannins, a refreshing spark of acidity, and a ridiculously long aromatic finish. Still somewhat shy and will reward further patience. Plenty of Pinot singing. Reviewed October 3, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $55. · Intensely fruity nose with scents of blackberries, raspberries, plums and a whiff of mocha. A seamless wine with an earth-kissed dark fruit core that is discreetly rich and crisp, leading to a smooth, long and satisfying finish. Even better and highly seductive the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. If you drink now, decant. Reviewed January 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
200+ cases, $55. · Really drinking beautifully now after some time in the bottle. Displaying that wonderful Savoy earthiness with rich dark fruits and savory herbs. Delicious. Reviewed June 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Benovia Bella Luna Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 181 cases, $58. The name Bella means “beautiful together” and represents a special blend of several vineyards from the Russian River Valley. · Very charming nose of black raspberries, forest floor, wine cellar and a hint of smoke. Generous core of black cherries and black raspberries with a hint of citrus, framed by fine-grain tannins and offering a huge fruity finish. Still reserved and elusive, but approachable now. This one aims to please. Reviewed October 3, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.. 25% whole cluster, aged 17 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderately intense dark and savory berries which are delicious. Lovely perfume of earth-kissed dark stone fruits and berries with a rich and satiny mouth feel. Very good. Reviewed June 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $45. It has been a couple of years of anticipation and Benovia has finally released this wine, its first Pinot Noir. Benovia has recently purchased two properties which will eventually increase the estate vineyards to 75 acres. The first is a 40-acre parcel adjacent to the winery property on the north side. New plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir here will come into production in 2013. An old house on the property will be renovated to offer a reception center for wine tastings and dinners. The second property is a cool site for Pinot Noir located on Falstaff Road near Freestone, 3.5 miles north of the Petaluma wind gap. 12 acres of Pinot Noir will be planted and will come into production in 2013 as well. These new properties will allow Benovia to eventually reach 5.000 case production. In the Fall, a Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir and Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir will be released. I have tasted both of these a couple times out of barrel and the Savoy recently after bottling and can tell you these wines are gorgeous, sexy Pinot Noirs. The Benovia Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Rosé are outstanding wines in their own right. This is a cult producer in the making and I would advise you join the mailing list asap. · Plenty of berry, earth, game and shroom on the nose. Rich and ripe plum and blueberry flavors with hints of raisin, accented by toasty oak. The fruit driven finish is lengthy and tangy. Reviewed April 7, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 950 cases, $45. A Spring 2008 release. · This wine has opened up quite a bit since last tasted. Pretty aromatics of fresh berries and floral notes. Well-structured and sinewy with earth-dusted dark berry and plum fruit flavors encased in supple tannins and finishing clean and bright. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 220 cases, $55. Rich Savoy has been farming this venerable vineyard for 20 years. This wine contains clones 113, 115, Calera, Martini 13 and Pommard. Each clone is vinified separately and only the best barrels are chosen for the final blend. · Fullbodied and darkly fruited, this wine charms with its vibrant black raspberry and black cherry core of flavors. Still a little closed and needs to shed some tannins, but the persistent aromatic finish of cherries, herbs, and new oak is memorable. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Winery Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 220 cases, $55. Rich Savoy has farmed this vineyard located west if Philo for 20 years. This wine is composed of multiple clones including Pommard, Calera, Martini 13 and Dijon 114 and 115, and is typically slow to come around. Each of the clones were vinified separately with only select barrels included in this bottling. · The nose is primal with oak char, dark berries, crusty toast and smoke surfacing. The wine possesses a solid dark berry core of fruit with plenty of oak char dominating the fruit at this stage. Silky in texture and nicely composed. Patience will be needed to fully appreciate this young wine which flashed a lot more fruit when newly crafted. Still fresh the next day from a previously opened re-corked bottle. Reviewed May 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Bella Una Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 168 cases, $58. This was known in the barrel as the “proprietary blend” which doesn’t sound too appealing. Benovia turned to their customers who came up with the name which means “beautiful together” in Latin. · Deep and darkly colored. Intoxicating and gorgeous aromas of rich black cherry jam and ripe plums. Would love to bottle this nose. Luscious dark-fruited core that is rich and plush and nicely spiced with soft tannins and a finish that gradually fades away with a smooth follow through like a Kobe Bryant jump shot. A complete wine that offers finesse with power. The Pinot Geek would drink this wine now while the 2006 Cohn and Savoy Benovia Pinot Noirs develop in the bottle. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Cohn Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
$60. · The best Pinot yet from this vineyard made famous by Burt Williams of Williams Selyem and Michael Browne of Kosta Browne. A complete wine displaying power with elegance. Reviewed July 30, 2007 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Winery Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
$60. I have tasted this wine several times both in barrel and in bottle and I can’t wait until August 19 when this and two other equally superb 2006 Pinot Noirs (Cohn Vineyard and a Proprietary Blend from purchased fruit) are released to the mailing list. · This wine is the whole package. Charmingly dark red fruited with nicely spiced aromatics, a full onslaught of fresh fruit, an appealing elegance, and an ending so refreshing that it makes you reach for more. I had to swallow this one. Reviewed July 7, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Benovia Cohn Vineyard Sonoma County Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 220 cases, $62. At 34 years-old, 9-acre vineyard is one of the oldest in California. Previously, the vineyard supplied notable producers like Williams Selyem and Kosta Browne, but it now an estate property of Benovia. Yields in 2006 were 1.1 tons per acre. The clones are unknown and are planted on St. George rootstock. This wine is darkly colored. · Needs time to open up. Long and persistent scents of red and black cherries nicely spiced and accented by hints of smoke and white pepper. Juicy cherry and raspberry fruits fan out nicely on the palate with some minerality and tartness in the background, leaving a tangerine peel vibe on the lively finish. A Sarah Palin wine - slightly high-strung and vibrant. This wine will find fans. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
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