Swirling Chardonnay

CommentsPgPic

Rip

We want to hear your thoughts

By: Benovia Winery

Please tell us about your experiences with our wines...Benovia events you've attended, your latest wine-tasting at Benovia Winery, or simply how a great bottle of Benovia made for the perfect evening at home. Just about anything you'd like to share with our online community would be greatly appreciated!

To post your comments, please scroll down to the bottom of the page, fill out the comments form, and click submit. Thank you!


Featured Comment: by Steven Rigisich, Founder of Pinot Days

Pinot Days"I recently moderated a seminar comparing modern and traditional pinots. I invited Benovia winemaker Mike Sullivan to speak on the panel and provide a modern pinot. He accepted and said he would bring Benovia Winery's Bella Una Pinot Noir. I was impressed - Bella Una was my favorite wine of the day amongst a lineup of heavy, heavy hitters. This may be, in fact, the the most complex and sensational modern pinot I have tasted. Sensational is not the only adjective I can come up with but it is most fitting since the wine is startling, intense, an attack on your senses and simply sensational. I am going out on a limb here because I don't know that much about the wine but I believe it is all Russian River Valley fruit. Yet much of the fruit is dark and profound, not something I align with the usual raspberry and Bing cherry qualities of a RRV pinot. It has lots of that RRV spice and some of that Green Valley herb and snappy acidity. It is edgy yet lush, intense yet nuanced, profound yet bewildering. It is sensationally complex. Complicatedly complex. Okay - I don't know how else to describe this wine so go try it and then you try to explain it!"

March 19, 2009 @ 9:28 am

Comments for “We want to hear your thoughts”

  1. Jim Dooley, Long Island
    When I sipped my first glass of Benovia's Zinfandel, I knew I had discovered a truly wonderful wine. I immediately joined the winery's mailing list so that I could receive an allocation of the Zinfandel and Pinto Noir every year. The Zin is robust and full bodied with a richness and depth that I have not found in any other Zinfandel. But the Benovia Pinot Noir is my favorite. I have loved Sonoma County Pinot Noir for many years, but none of the other wineries' offerings compare to Benovia's Pinot Noir. The wine is delightfully smooth yet elegant and complex. Benovia Winery is a jewel among California wineries.
  2. Judy Napier
    Your 2005 Zin was outstanding. We opened a bottle during the Super Bowl last night and it was as popular if not more so than the game. What a wine!! I hope that we can order more if it's available. Please let us know.
  3. Robin Miller
    We had a blind Zin tasting here in South Orange County and out of 17 wines, your 2005 Zin was #1. Thanks for making such great wines!!!!
  4. Claire Wilkinson
    We loved visiting your winery during barrel tasting! The wine was excellent, everyone was friendly, the food was great, the area was beautiful, and we loved the band. We were in California for a long weekend visiting from San Antonio, Texas. We really enjoyed our visit. Thanks!
  5. Bob Esler, Sheboygan, Wis
    I just shared a bottle of Benovia 2006 Bella Una Pinot Noir with some friends. All were impressed. I liked its smooth, full body and long finish. This is a real find.
  6. The Wine Curators, The Blend Newsletter, Vol. 17
    Joe (Anderson) and Mary (Dewane) have invested heavily in presses, refrigeration and heating systems, with all aspects of Benovia’s production under their control, right down to the bottling line. It’s not every day one can stumble upon an undiscovered treasure in an appellation as heavily traveled and combed over as the Russian River, but this new venture is well worth watching out for, and considering their small production and large potential, getting on the mailing list as well.
  7. Elaine Berke, Milwaukee
    This is the best Chardonnay I've ever tasted!!!!
  8. John & Terri Blakeney, New York
    We just wanted to drop you a note of thanks Bob for the time and attention you gave us last Monday when we visited Benovia with our friends. The tour that you hosted for us was certainly the highlight of our trip to Sonoma and San Francisco. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that these are the finest wines we tasted, bar none. Our sincerest compliments!

    I must tell you that Terri has never been a wine drinker, no less a wine enthusiast, but she's now a convert. We can't wait to get our shipment and share your wine with some of our good friends. I have no doubt we will be lifelong customers and fans.

    Again, thank you so much for the tour. It was an experience we will not soon forget! Wishing you the best of luck and many, many superb vintages!
  9. Scott Hendershot, Massillon, Ohio
    It was an absolute pleasure meeting Mary (Dewane) and Mike (Sullivan) during our visit. I look forward to my shipment coming in the fall. I am so glad that my brother-in-law (Larry) recommended a visit. I guess that is one of the perks of having a family member who loves wine probably more than I do. Again, thanks so much for your time. Take care.
  10. Paul Giguere, San Diego
    I just wanted to drop a quick note of thanks for the wonderful tour you provided to my family at Benovia Winery last month. I look forward to enjoying the wine I brought home and will most certainly spread word about the jewel of an operation your team runs up in Northern Sonoma. Here's to a safe and successful remainder of the growing season and another spectacular batch!
  11. Ralph Biller
    Just wanted to thank you for allowing my friend and I to visit the winery this month. The 2007 lineup of wines is superb and the 2006 Bella Una Pinot, which I just shared with friends at home, is absolutely wonderful!!
  12. Peg Dusza
    I'd like to purchase your 2007 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. Are there any available and at what price? This wine is one of the most delicious pinot's I've ever tasted.

    Editor's Note: The easiest way to buy our wine is to click on the "Join Our Mailing List" button on the home page of our Web site. Fill out the form and you'll receive an allocation with instructions that will walk you through the purchasing steps. And, thanks for the compliment. We're biased, of course, but we also think our wines are delicious.
  13. Jim Bruggers
    Thanks for your outstanding hospitality for our recent visit. We really appreciate the special attention and the time you spent with us explaining the workings of Benovia winery. We are very impressed with Benovia and are anxiously waiting our shipment of Pinot.
  14. Rita McWilliams, Level Green, PA
    My husband and I had the pleasure of enjoying a bottle of your Russian River 2007 La Pommeraie Chardonnay. It was excellent ... one of the best wines I've ever tasted! We're looking forward to trying some of your other wines.
  15. Paul & Vicki West,Phoenix
    We very much enjoyed the 07 Sonoma Coast Pinor Noir. It was aromatic and distinctive and complimented our meal nicely. Thanks to a gift, we were introduced to a fantastic wine. We look forward to trying more Benovia in the future.
  16. Pam Masterson
    Opened a bottle of the 2008 Sonoma Coast Pinot and it was the BEST! Now I am waiting for the Zin to be released and of course I will want more of the Pinot as well. So glad I was introduced to Benovia wines. You're at the top of my shopping list!
  17. Charlene
    Last year we made an appointment to visit this winery after sharing a delicious Zin at a local restaurant.
    While there we purchased a few bottles of pinot noir and were clinging to them, only a select few would be allowed to share one of these!
    Two weekends ago we decided it was time to crack open one of the bottles and share it with some fellow pinot lovers...
    At first sniff we all ooed and awed, then at first taste - we were almost speechless. It had to be one of THE best pinots we'd ever had (and believe me we'd been on a mission since seeing the movie Sideways how many years ago!)
    We now realize the need to purchase some cases and tuck them away for those special times.
    Thank you - keep doing exactly what you do, over and over again!
    -- Charlene McCurdy
  18. Paul Burmeister
    Thank you Roger for making our visit to Benovia Winery such a memorable experience. Not only did we enjoy the beautiful setting and wonderful wine, but it was your knowledge and hospitality that made the visit special. Benovia is definitely a "must stop" on our next trip to wine country.
  19. Preston Lentz
    Nothing will ever compare, at any winery, to the graciousness and joy Bob Mosby showed us when we dropped in two years ago. That unscheduled visit will forever be the zenith of all wine experiences for me.
  20. Maureen
    Every few years, a group of our best friends has a reunion/vacation in California wine country. In 2008, we had the great fortune to arrange a private wine tasting at Benovia. Bob Mosby was our wine guide that day - and that visit will remain one of our favorite experiences of any vineyard. Not only was Bob an outstanding host, the wines were wholly phenomenal. When you have East Coast (DC) events, you will always find many of us there. Not to mention cases and cases of wine being ordered!

    In his move back to the healthcare field, we wish Bob all the best. We will toast you, Bob, when we drink our Benovia and we will miss you when we next visit the vineyard. Thank you for the warm and welcoming introduction to our favorite winery...
  21. Eva and Arno
    Thanks so much Roger. The pleasure was all ours. We enjoyed a bottle of your delicious Cohn Pinot Noir over dinner at the Farmhouse Inn last night and Arno is busy pulling the cork out of a bottle of the Savoy for this evening!

    What a wonderful experience with such amazing personal service. Thank you for taking us as walk-in's and we look forward to our next visit.
  22. Chaz and Gael
    Thanks so much for your hospitality yesterday, Roger, and having us upstairs. Lovely view, lovely wine and professional attention. All the participants in our HOB Wine Tour 2012 said our visit to Benovia was a highlight.
  23. Bob Bondy
    Bob, Danette,

    Karol and I want to thank you for a most enjoyable tasting of your fine wines and your company, it was the highlight of our trip!

    Again thank you,

    Bob Bondy
  24. David Bowman
    Hi Bob,

    Thank you very much for taking the time out last Friday afternoon when Melissa and I visited Benovia. We had a wonderful time, and loved your wines. The following day, I actually asked Melissa to marry me, so it was quite a perfect weekend up in Sonoma County. How we started it with you was perfect. Funny story actually, as she thought I was signaling her by visiting you all (that is, "be novia", since novia is Spanish for bride). :)

    Hope to see you all again sometime!
  25. Byron Boyer
    Roger,

    I would like to thank you for all the arrangements you made to accommodate our group last Sunday. Your presentation was outstanding and the wines were wonderful. Everyone present was most complimentary and felt that the visit to Benovia was the highlight of our Russian River Valley trip.

    I know that we will enjoy the wine we purchased and I have ordered more from my allocation.

    Thanks again and all our best,

    Byron Boyer
  26. Elliot Kadar
    Roger,

    Thank you for your quick reply and warm welcome to Benovia yesterday. The visit and tasting was the highlight of a great day; great wines and a beautiful setting.

    Again, our thanks to you and Danette for accommodating us at the last minute. Hope you have a great rest of the weekend and harvest.
  27. Joel Chansky
    Roger,

    I was at Benovia a few weeks ago – there were 4 of us, 2 couples from New England and you gave us some background on liquor laws in our area, etc. We mentioned to you that we winter in Tucson, and you were kind enough to tell us of your history there, give us your business card, and refer us to Feast restaurant. We went there last week and thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and met Doug, who proudly showed us a bottle of Benovia wine that he carries.

    Also, we went to about 10 wineries during our time in Napa/Sonoma, and your tasting stood out as the most memorable because of your personal touches and wealth of information/knowledge.
  28. Wendy Taylor
    Thoroughly pleased with the 2008 Bella Una Magnum we opened this Holiday season. It was a joy to drink now as it was the first time I tasted it at the Wine Extraordinaire Event in Orange County. I purchased this within the Silent Auction and have cherished the day we would share this with other wine lovers. Its balance was perfect with great nuances. A joy to share but wishing we had purchased more to have once again. Thank you for your mastery in making such fine Pinot Noir.

Comment on this post

Name:  
Website:
Comment:
 
Scrollwork