Benovia Winery Releases Spectacular 2014 Single-Vineyard Pinot Noirs

Veteran winemaker Mike Sullivan produces fewer than 1,400 cases of Pinot Noir from three distinct estate vineyards – including Cohn Vineyard, one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the region.

Benovia Winery, a small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley, is pleased to announce the release of three expertly crafted single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from the winery’s estate vineyards: Cohn, Tilton Hill and Martaella. Benovia Winery is owned by husband-and-wife co-founders Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson and Winemaker & Co-Owner Mike Sullivan.

“Our wines are popular with savvy, adventurous Pinot Noir drinkers,” said Sullivan. “With our three estate vineyards in distinctly varied micro-climates, we are able to create three highly sought after and nuanced single-vineyard Pinot Noirs. Our team has taken incredible care in farming our estate vineyards and the evidence is in the glass.”

In reflecting on the 2014 vintage, Sullivan noted that 2014 was the third consecutive drought year with Sonoma County receiving less than half of its average rainfall.  The very dry winter and spring allowed for very early bud break, flowering and harvest.  With ideal spring weather conditions, the vines were able to complete flowering quickly, and the resulting crop was much larger than average.  The county received just enough rain in the spring to charge the soil with water, and cool summer weather allowed the vines to thrive, resulting in the earliest harvest on record.

These single-vineyard Pinot Noirs are now available from Benovia:

2014 Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir
Benovia’s flagship wine is from one of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in the region, the Cohn Vineyard which was planted in 1970, and has provided fruit for critically-acclaimed wines for decades.  The Benovia team dry-farms these gnarled vines to produce small and compact clusters with tremendous flavor.  Organic farming has brought new life back to the Cohn vineyard and reinvigorated the soil. Sullivan has said, “The life and complexity we gave back to the soil are shining through in the wine.  The Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir has lift, tension and vibrancy.”

The 2014 vintage is medium-ruby in color with gorgeously intense aromas of spring flowers, Queen Anne cherries, and mineral notes.  Year after year, wine from this vineyard has the hallmark of an ethereally-floral aromatic quality, with sensual texture and impressive length.  Benovia’s Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir is $75 per bottle and just 440 cases were produced.

2014 Tilton Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir

Perched on a ridge top near the town of Freestone, sustainably-farmed Tilton Hill is Benovia’s coldest vineyard and lies just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean.  The temperature rarely rises above 80 degrees, allowing the precious grapes to ripen slowly, striking a gentle balance between vibrant acids and ripe flavor.

This beautiful wine stands out with lively aromas of wild strawberry and raspberry soufflé that harmonize with notes of East-Indian spices and forest floor.  These heady aromas lead into equally dynamic flavors of black raspberry, Queen Anne cherry and white pepper.  On the palate the juicy red fruits complement the velvety texture and spicy finish.  Benovia’s 2014 Tilton Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir is $60 per bottle and just 492 cases were produced.

2014 Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir

Martaella, Benovia’s largest estate vineyard, is sustainably-farmed and was densely planted with Pinot Noir vines – more than twice the standard number of vines per acre.  The European-style spacing helps achieve smaller yields from each vine, creating more intense fruit.

Deep ruby in color, the vibrant raspberry, Bing cherry and sarsaparilla aromas almost leap from the glass.  On the palate, the wine’s juicy mouthfeel is supported by cherry and blackberry flavors, building through the mid-palate to the fine tannins on the finish.  An intriguing blend of power and restraint, this Pinot Noir is both savory and delicately sweet.  Benovia’s 2014 Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir is $60 per bottle and just 440 cases were produced

The wines are available for purchase at Benovia Winery or online at www.BenoviaWinery.com.  Tastings at Benovia are by appointment only and are hosted in Benovia’s ranch house, nestled off the beaten path in the family’s Martaella vineyard.  Appointments can be booked by calling (707) 526-4441 or by emailing WineryVisits@benoviawinery.com. All tastings at Benovia are leisurely, seated tastings with generous time and attention from Benovia’s fun tasting room team. Benovia is located at 3339 Hartman Road just outside downtown Santa Rosa, and is open from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. seven days/week, with the exception of major holidays.

About Benovia Winery

Benovia Winery is a special, small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley that specializes in sustainably farmed, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Founded by husband and wife team Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson, Benovia was named after Mary and Joe’s fathers, Ben Dewane and Novian Anderson.  Benovia owns and farms three distinctly different vineyards so as to present several nuanced wines in its portfolio.  The wines are allocated directly to customers and distributed to select restaurants across the country.