100% Sangiovese from vines planted in 2007 (65%) and 1992 (35%), all located on our Benchland property. It is Sangiovese Grosso, the clone used to make the renowned, full-bodied Brunello di Montalcino of Tuscany. The 2022 Sangiovese shows the vital importance vineyard/crop level management has to this variety.  An early September heat wave gave us a bit more stress than '21, but we carefully managed the harvest to create dark, full-bodied Sangiovese that is quite Brunello-like. It is a reminder that sometimes it IS better to be good than lucky. The wine shows intense fruit with tannin structure that will age well for 5 to 8 years.

350 cases produced

100% Sangiovese from ten rows on the west hillside of our steep terraced vineyard planted in 1992. It is far and away our best Sangiovese. The site exposure, clone (Sangiovese Grosso from Montalcino), vine age, and our management of crop level result in making this a classic full-bodied wine that is worthy of Brunello, both in depth and complexity, regardless of the vintage. A heat wave in early September resulted in a deeper concentration of fruit. One of our most age worthy wines (5 to 10 years), this 2022 West Terrace sets the bar for California Sangiovese.

100 cases produced

100% Syrah

Once again this Syrah comes entirely from our Creekside block, planted in 1998. The clone is from our original Benchland vineyard planted in gravelly, sandy loam that really facilitates a balanced canopy and crop level. making  Additionally, this is the coolest microclimate within our 60 acres, adding a bright fruit compentent to the dark savory Syrah notes. While the 2022 vintage had some minor challenges in September (heat wave followed by a light rain), you would never know from tasting this wine. Dark, deep and complex, this Syrah has the potential to age 5 to 8 years. 

600 cases

This Syrah comes from our oldest vineyard block located on our Benchland property. Planted in 1991, these vines produce small, thick skinned berries which provide distinct blackberry, bay leaf, cassis and savory flavors that are different from any of our other Syrah vineyard blocks. 2022 featured some early September heat which resulted in riper tannins, making this vintage easier to enjoy at an early stage. Rcih, textured and complex, this 2022 Benchland should age well over the next 3 to 5 years.

100 cases produced

Accolades:

2021 Syrah Benchland 91 Points Wine Spectator

2019 Syrah Benchland 91 points Wine Spectator

75% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 5% Barbera

The 2022 vintage is a great example of vineyard pedigree over vintage. Overall, 2022 was a good vintage but we had to navigate an early September heatwave, which is a formidable threat for this thin-skinned variety.  Fortunately our 24 year-old Primitivo vineyard came throough unscathed (little dehydrated grapes) and delivered one fo the best Zinfandel's in Unti history. This, along with our Benchland PetiteSirah made a full-bodied wine that is also juicy and perfectly balanced, aided by a touch of Barbera. It will age nicely over the next 3 to 5 years. Our Zin program has never been better.

500 cases produced

The 100% MP comes from the original “Creekside Block” planted in 2005. Similar to our Sangiovese West Terrace, this OG block always produces our best Montepulciano (we have 3 other tiny MP blocks). Whether it is vine age or the soil, the Creekside block MP reminds us most of the best wines in Le Marche and Abruzzo.  The early summer heat in September of ’22 was enough to ripen the tannins, making this a very expressive version, one that will likely show better earlier than normal. Don’t be fooled, this is a full-bodied wine that will age nicely over the next 4 to 6 years.

150 cases produced