Benchlands 2022
40% Petite Sirah, 30% Zinfandel, 20% Nero d’Avola, 4% Valdiguié, 4% Colombard, 2% Carignan · Mendocino County · 696 cases
We return to Benchlands time and time again. Its candy fruit core is balanced with rootiness like cocoa and sarsaparilla for a wine that’s just singing right now. If we ever dubbed a wine as “staff pick,” this would take the prize for just about every team member.
750ml, 12.5% ABV
Enjoy With
Your favorite company. This wine plays well with Ottolenghi vegetable dishes, a drizzle of pomegranate molasses, and lots of herbs.
Drink When
You’re wanting to feel connected to a bygone time. Benchlands tells the story of Mendocino grapegrowers and passing the torch to new generations.
Martha's Notes
Benchlands 2022 continues our Cal-Italia exploration of Mendocino County’s uplifted benchland soils, where Italian farming families first planted vineyards (reserving the rich valley floors for vegetables). All of the vineyards in this blend are planted on those uplifted benchlands and are dry-farmed (non-irrigated). Through a mix of gentler fermentation techniques and white and red grape co-fermentation, Benchlands is reminiscent of a Cerasuolo—somewhere between a dark rosé and a light red wine, highlighted by floral aromatics and a bright, fruitful core.
Specifications
View Tech SheetAlcohol:
12.5%
Varietal:
40% Petite Sirah, 30% Zinfandel, 20% Nero d’Avola, 4% Valdiguié, 4% Colombard, 2% Carignan
Vineyard:
Petite Sirah from Bricarelli Ranch, Ukiah, Mendocino County, 16-year-old head-trained, dry-farmed (non-irrigated) vineyard, farmed by us to organic principles (no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers); gravelly loam soils.
Petite Sirah, Nero d’Avola, and Zinfandel from Ling-Chiarito Vineyard, Talmage, Mendocino County; dry-farmed (non-irrigated) vineyard, farmed by us according to organic principles (no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers); gravelly loam soils.
Carignan, Colombard, and Valdiguié from Ricetti Vineyard, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County; planted in 1948; dry-farmed (non-irrigated), certified organic vineyard; gravelly loam soils
Vinification Notes:
Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Nero d’Avola were each fermented separately in small batches while the Carignan, Valdiguié, and Colombard grapes were harvested and co-fermented as one lot (red and white grapes together!). The components were kept separate after pressing and aged in neutral oak barrique. Racked, blended, and bottled after 6 months. Unfined. Unfiltered. Sediment expected.
Serving Temp:
Slightly chilled // 50-55°F (10-13°C) // Chilly when you put it on the table, loves to warm up with the crowd.
At Bottling:
(February 2023): 12.5% alc/vol · Free SO2 8 mg/L, Total SO2 29 mg/L. Less than 1 g/L sugar (dry) · All wines are vegan.
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This club makes our world go around so we want every release to feel special for you. Our club members receive a bottle of each new wine along with:
• First access to new vintages and special releases
• Limited edition artwork and thoughtful club goodies
• $30 flat rate shipping on all orders
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