Best Sonoma Wineries to Visit for Wine Tasting This Year

Winetraveler

Winetraveler included us on their best Sonoma wineries to visit for wine tasting this year!

“Why Guests Love It: Boutique Producer, Sustainable Vineyards, Beautiful Views

Benovia has become a sought-after boutique producer, with small quantities that sell out quickly. Their stunning Chardonnays and Pinots show why: luscious fruit with bright clarity and balance. And tastings at the winery are just as beautiful, limited to small groups at their ranch house.”

Clear here to book a tasting.

Think Pink, the Wine for Summer

Texas Lifestyle Magazine

It’s Rosé season and Texas Lifestyle Magazine included our Rosé on their list of wines to sip this summer!

21 Sparkling Wines from Across California’s Wine Country

fabCA

Did you know that California wineries are producing some special sparkling wines? FabCA covers a number of spectacular California sparklers, including our very own 2018 Blanc de Noir.

Wine Clubs That Rock: Russian River Valley Roundup

Haute Living San Francisco

The Benovian Wine Club and all of the amazing benefits club members receive was featured in Haute Living San Francisco! Read more about why it’s good to be a Benovian.

45 American Pinot Noirs to Open on Special Occasions

Food & Wine

We are honored to be included in Food & Wine’s list of 45 American Pinot Noirs to Open on Special Occasions, featuring our 2019 Martaella Pinot Noir.

“The single vineyard that this is grown in is named for the proprietors’ mothers, and it’s a wonderfully fitting homage: It’s a delicious wine in which toasty and sweet spice notes complicate flavors of grilled plums and ripe apricots, oolong tea, kirsch-filled dark chocolates, and espresso. A suggestion of brown-sugar-cured bacon wraps things up on a ripe-savory note.”

41 Cabernet Sauvignons Worth Splurging On

Food & Wine

Our 2018 Cooley Cabernet Sauvignon was named one of Food & Wine’s Cabs worth splurging on. Thank you to Brian Freedman for this review:

“From Northern Sonoma, this wine is already showing brilliantly: Purple and red-berry fruit perk up the palate, joined by blueberries and boysenberries, as well as licorice-scented peppercorn spice, lingering with a suggestion of kirsch and sachertorte. Freshness and power are balanced impeccably.”

Best Pairings for Pulled Pork

Honest Cooking

Pair our Russian River Pinot Noir with pulled pork! Thanks to Honest Cooking for including this wine in their grilling series:

“Pulled pork, the mighty classic of the BBQ line-up. Best friend of the sandwich, and – if done right – one of the major delights of the grilling season. Be it spicy, sweet, or tangy, it will grace our dinner table in almost any shape or combination possible.

And yes, you can definitely pair this with a crisp American pale ale, but here at Honest Cooking we crave wine with our swine. And with that, here are the wines that you should be pairing with your next Pulled Pork extravaganza.”

Best Pairings for Grilled Shrimp

Honest Cooking

Under the Big & Delicious category, our 2019 Martaella Chardonnay was selected as a best pairing with grilled shrimp.

“It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. And here at Honest Cooking, we don’t shy away from challenges like tasting through hundreds of bottles of wine to find out which wines pair the best with grilled foods.”

5 Cozy Sonoma Tasting Rooms to Visit

Sonoma Magazine

Our Ranch House Tasting Room was named a Top 5 coziest to visit!

Curved leather lounge chairs and a ceiling-high hearth invite visitors to relax and get cozy by the fire. Who wants to leave when the Ranch House tasting room offers lovely views of the Martaella estate vineyard and seated sips of Benovia’s acclaimed single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir? The winery is kicking off 2023 with a series of curated culinary events that will run throughout the year—bubbles and oysters, anyone?—so check the events calendar for updates.

We think you’ll love it too. Schedule your appointment here.

Looking for a Steal in Sonoma Wine? Try Grenache

Food & Wine

Virginie Boone explores Rhone Valley varietals like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre in California wine country, which  hold unexpected excitement. Check out our Sonoma Mountain Grenache, from Winemaker and Co-Owner Mike Sullivan family’s vineyard.

“Beloved for its Russian River and Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Benovia remains true to this grape from winemaker/co-owner Mike Sullivan’s own family vineyard, which is grown at elevation. Fruity and earthy in equal measure, it thrives in lavender, sage, dried herb and white pepper before a midpalate of garrigue, game and strawberry appear.”

Valentine's Bubbles

Red Wine for Breakfast

“Romance is in the air, and bubbles are flowing. Valentine’s Day is the ideal time to pop a cork in celebration with your sweetheart. This is especially ideal if the one you love the most is yourself. After all, you deserve to be celebrated. Enjoy one of these beauties on Valentine’s Day and every day, as every day is the time to celebrate you! #Cheers!”

Red Wine for Breakfast featured our 2018 Sparkling Blanc de Noir for this romantic holiday.

The Chardonnay You Should Be Drinking Now

Red Wine for Breakfast

Thank you to RED WINE WITH BREAKFAST for including our Russian River Chardonnay as the Chardonnay You Should be Drinking Now, saying it is:

“consistently a favorite for its on-point, varietally correct, easy drinking style. Predominantly produced from the winery’s home, Martaella Estate vineyard, with heirloom clones of Chardonnay, the unctuous wine layers wild white flowers and crushed stone minerality with juicy ripe pear, honeydew, and marzipan. Barrel-fermented and aged for 13 months in oak adds a spicy undertone and nuttiness, making it the perfect complement to a cold winter’s night.”

See all of the favorites.

The 100 most amazing Sonoma County wines in 2022

Press Democrat

The annual list of the best local wines this year, chosen by expert Linda Murphy, from sauvignon blanc to pinot noir, includes our 2020 Martaella Estate Russian River Valley Chardonnay 

“Martaella is the estate vineyard surrounding the Benovia winery in the heart of Russian River Valley. Proprietors Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson, along with winemaker and co-owner Mike Sullivan, have several Russian River Valley blends and single-vineyard bottlings of chardonnay and pinot noir in their repertoire, and Martaella — a blend of the names Martha and Eleanor, Mary’s and Joe’s mothers — is closest to their hearts. This chardonnay, in its third year of production, has everything one could want: full body, vibrant citrus, apple and white peach fruit, spicy oak and a lingering finish.”

See all of the amazing wines by clicking on the link below.

Celebrate New Years Eve With The Best American Sparkling Wines

Forbes

American sparkling wine is having a fabulous moment as more and more winemakers use their amazing fruit to craft méthode champenoise bubbly. Thank you to Forbes for including our 2018 Sparkling Blanc de Noir:

“Indigenous yeast, whole cluster pressing, for a delicate wine that receives very little dosage, putting it in the Extra Brut category. The texturally rich mouthfeel is accompanied by notes of lemon zest, ripe apple and wild strawberry. Winemaker/Co-Owner Mike Sullivan, hews to organic and sustainable farming—the winery is family-owned and dedicated to making exquisite, small-production pinot noir and chardonnay.”

Seasonal Wines for the Holidays

Healdsburg Tribune

From the Tribune:

’Tis the season for festive celebrations, grand family feasts—and questions about holiday wine pairing. What’s a great wine for the holidays? Which wine for prime rib? How about dessert?

And this time of year, drinking seasonally means drinking bigger. Whether red or white, bigger wines carry more richness, body and flavor intensity to warm the soul on chilly days. Think wines with big ripe fruit, higher alcohol or sugar content, and bold, herbaceous, nutty or spicy flavors. And since it’s the holidays, it’s the ideal time to select more elevated versions—meaning it’s time to pull out those special bottles that have been tucked away waiting for the right occasion.

Our 2018 Cooley Cabernet Sauvignon was a suggested pairing for your main course of Prime Rib:

It’s best to go with tannins. A firmly tannic wine pairs wonderfully with a well-marbled, juicy slab of beef. The ribbons of fat soften the tannins, pulling the fruit flavors forward. A wine with herbal hints bridges nicely to the roast’s herb-rubbed crust. A medium-weight red with good acidity balances the richness of the meat and allows its rare-pink flavors to shine.

#Wine Wednesday - Pop the Cork on These Sparkling Holiday Wines

Texas Lifestyle Magazine

We’re thrilled to be included in Texas Lifestyle Magazine’s list of sparkling wines for New Years! Featuring 2018 Sparkling Blanc de Noir.

“No beverage delivers a celebratory bang like Champagne or bubbly—it’s also the one sip that pairs with almost any food. Bring cheer to the New Year with these festive sparkling picks that span the globe. Cheers to 2023, ya’ll!”

11 wines to gift and celebrate with this holiday season

Fortune

Thank you to Fortune for including our 2018 Liberation Pinot Noir in this list of wines for the holidays.

When you show up to a holiday party with a bottle of wine, sometimes there’s uncertainty about whether or not it should be opened right away. Here’s a list of suggested bottles—across the spectrum in palate, hue, and price point—that can be opened and enjoyed right now or you can keep in the cellar a little longer.

15 Delicious New Pinot Noirs to Sip This Spring

Robb Report

Outstanding bottles from some of California and Oregon’s finest winemakers. Thanks to Robb Report for including our 2019 Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir.

“The concentration of low-yielding, 50+-year-old vines is on display in this flagship Pinot from Benovia. The aromatics on the nose have the intensity of a fruit cordial—florals surrounding black cherry layered with hints of pine forest, bay laurel and fresh-turned loam. Velvety textures wrap around black raspberry and a hint of blueberry, with a hint of clove and more than a hint of savory minerality building on a long, graceful finish.”

Into Flight Once More Premier

June, 2022 – Trading in his role of vintner for that of executive film producer, Joe Anderson, chairman of Benovia Winery, is proud to announce the release of “INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE,” a new documentary narrated by actor Gary Sinise.

“INTO FLIGHT ONCE MORE” brings to life the history of D-Day and the Allied Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, as told through the lens of one squadron and their epic journey across the North Atlantic on the 75^th anniversary of D-Day. It premieres this Saturday, June 4^th, at the National Museum of the US Air Force™ in Dayton, Ohio.

Joe Anderson, who co-founded Benovia Winery in Sonoma County with his wife Mary Dewane in 2005, became involved in the project as executive producer because he owns a C-53 Skytrooper airplane called The Spirit of Benovia. In 2019, together with the American “D-Day Squadron,” Anderson and his 80 year old plane flew across the Atlantic Ocean and in formation over Normandy to commemorate “D-Day,” which occurred on June 6, 1944 when Allied forces stormed several beaches in the Normandy region of France, a turning point in World War II which led to the liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis. A variant of the civilian DC-3 passenger planes, the C-47/53’s were among the workhorses of World War II and played a key role in the Invasion of Normandy. Anderson and his colleagues made the significant trip in stages from Connecticut, to Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England – and finally, to Normandy on June 6, 2019.

“I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career,” said Anderson. “But I’m especially proud of this film. To be able to honor World War II veterans in such a poignant way, and for director Adrienne Hall to capture our journey so beautifully is really gratifying. We owe the Greatest Generation an immeasurable debt. My hope is that this film will keep their extraordinary, selfless achievements alive for future generations.”

Documentary commemorating D-Day to premiere at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Dayton.com

Early Signs of Veraison – Martaella Estate Vineyard

Russian River Valley

One of the most anticipatory times of year is just before harvest when tracking the ripeness of the grape berries becomes a daily routine for Vineyard Manager Chris Kangas. This ripening process, known as veraison, determines the status of harvest and when all hands on deck are required for harvest. (more…)

“Wine Warehouse” Chosen as California Distributor For Benovia Winery’s Critically-Acclaimed Portfolio

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (May 03, 2021) – Mike Sullivan, Winemaker & Co-Owner of Benovia Winery, is pleased to announce that the Benovia team has chosen Wine Warehouse as their newly-appointed California distributor. (more…)

WWII veteran Del Tiedeman memory honored

“This is my favorite photo of Del and how I will remember him,” shared Benovia co-founder Joe Anderson. (more…)

91

points

2017 Sonoma Mountain Grenache

Wine Enthusiast

96

points

2018 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir

Wine Spectator

31 Wines and Spirits to Get You Through the Holiday Season

Worth

To celebrate the final month of this dreary year, we should all drink wine…every day. Thirty-one days of wine. Benovia 2017 Sonoma Mountain Grenache. I have a soft spot for Benovia wines…

Press Release

Benovia Winery and The Anderson Family Foundation Donate $10,000 To The Redwood Empire Food Bank

Benovia Winery and The Anderson Family Foundation Donate $10,000 To The Redwood Empire Food Bank A percentage of proceeds from the sale of Benovia’s Courageous Care Pinot Noir was donated More

Read More

14 Superb California Zinfandels to Pair With Your Thanksgiving Feast

Robb Report

2017 Benovia Old Vine Zinfandel — This intense but bright Benovia Zin comes from their Cohn estate vineyard, planted in 1970 on a steep, rocky slope and dry-farmed. It offers concentrated aromas that evolve from spicy, dark berries with hints of dark chocolate and pepper into beautiful floral notes.

One of Sonoma's oldest Pinot Noir vineyards has historic tie to S.F. Victorians

San Francisco Chronicle

The life of Enid Sales, a preservationist and all-around polymath, sounds almost too delightful to be true. The first woman in California to earn her general contractor’s license, Sales was best known for campaigning to save 350 of San Francisco’s old Victorians in the 1960s and ‘70s — and saving their residents from eviction. And quietly, in the background of all her flashier accomplishments, Sales, who died in 2008, also planted a Healdsburg vineyard that has proven to be a special and distinctive site for Pinot Noir.

That vineyard, known as the Cohn Vineyard, turns 50 this year, and its old grapevines have come to embody a similar sort of historic significance as the buildings that Sales worked her entire life to preserve.

91

points

2017 Cohn Estate Pinot Noir

Wine Spectator

“Plush and well-spiced, with a creamy texture to the cherry compote and Christmas pudding flavors. Offers a ripe and juicy finish, featuring hints of dried meat. Drink now through 2023. 340 cases made.” — KM

Beets with Humboldt Fog and Marcona Almonds

The beet goes on and on in this bright vegetarian recipe inspired by the starter served at Walter Hansel Bistro in Santa Rosa, Calif. Naturally sweet beets are elevated with plump Spanish marcona almonds and tangy Humboldt Fog goat cheese, which begs for a remarkable wine like Benovia’s 2017 Cohn Estate Pinot Noir

Wine of the Day: Benovia “Courageous Care” Pinot Noir

RED WINE WITH BREAKFAST

In these unprecedented times, there are so many wineries stepping up to help those in need. Jumping into action Sonoma’s Benovia Winery honors those who are putting their lives on the line with Benovia’s “Courageous Care” Pinot Noir ($40).

2020 Benovia Winery Holiday Gift Guide

It’s never too early to start your holiday gift shopping, especially to ensure they arrive in time. We have created many more gift packs and collections than ever before sure to meet the desires of friends, family and colleagues. With the crazy year we’ve all had to endure, who doesn’t deserve exceptional, award-winning wines to escort this year out the door in style toward better and brighter days? Take a sneak peek at our interactive PDF Gift Guide and enjoy!

A Scientific Case for ‘Fingerprinting’ Terroir in a California AVA

Wine Enthusiast

“As a group, we identified how much red fruit, spice, earth, floral notes we tasted, and homed in on key characteristics of each neighborhood,” says Mike Sullivan, co-owner and winemaker at Benovia Winery in the Russian River Valley, and current RRVWA president. The problem, he notes, is that sensory science is difficult without qualitative methodology.

Benovia Winery introduces Courageous Care Pinot Noir

Shanken News Daily

Benovia Winery has introduced Courageous Care Pinot Noir, a new bottling that honors those fighting Covid-19 and will raise funds for groups like Feeding America and Direct Relief.

93 Editor's Choice

points

2018 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

95

points

2018 Martaella Estate Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

95

points

2018 Three Sisters Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

94

points

2018 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

94

points

2017 Sonoma County Zinfandel

Wine Enthusiast

Healdsburg veteran celebrates 100th birthday with fly-overs, car parade

Press Democrat

Living amidst us are precious few 100-year-old veterans of World War II. There is only one Del Tiedeman. On hand to celebrate his birthday were Benovia Winery owner Joe Anderson and the chief pilot of his restored WWII DC-3, Jeff Coffman. On their bucket list is to get Tiedeman, who flew a similar plane in the war, into the co-pilot seat and up for a flight in “The Spirit of Benovia.”

JCB LIVE Happy Hour: A Franco-American Celebration!

JCB Live!

May 8th our owner Joe Anderson will join Jean-Charles Boisset to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day that will include stories about Joe’s flight in the Spirit of Benovia DC-3 to Normandy last year to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and our 2018 “Liberation” Pinot Noir — watch the show!

26 Stellar New Rosés to Welcome the Warmer Months

Robb Report

Today, dry rosé is an all-gender, warm-weather favorite the world over. That said, we can’t help but suggest that rosé would make the perfect wine for Mother’s Day this year. It’s not a matter of color (although there might be some lovely overlap with a few of the flowers on the table) so much as the palette (spelling intentional) of flavors and textures the wine paints with. Generally bright with red fruit, stone fruit, and citrus, and taut with vibrant acidity, rosé is the perfect foil for brunch (who doesn’t love a breakfast wine?). And we’re guessing that more Mother’s Day brunches than ever will be produced in home kitchens this year than in recent memory.

The Wine Show @ HOME with Joe Fattorini | Monday 4th May 2020

The Wine Show @Home

Art of the Blend Tasting Replay

Did you miss our virtual tasting on the Art of the Blend with Joe Anderson and Mike Sullivan discussing the Bella Una Pinot Noir and Liberation Pinot Noir? Rewatch now on our YouTube channel.

#WineWednesday: Wineries Get Creative During COVID-19 Pandemic

Texas Lifestyle Magazine

With virtual wine tastings, great deals on shipping, fundraising, and online cooking classes, wineries are providing a grape escape while we shelter in place. Here’s to sipping safe—the new normal, at least for a little while longer!

10 Fresh California Rosé Wines to Drink Right Now

7x7.com

On a mission to identify the best rosés around that you’ve probably never heard of, I organized a socially distanced tasting with a few winemaker friends. We sipped through roughly 30 carefully selected rosés (a tough job, I know), narrowing them down to 10 favorites.

93

points

2017 Martaella Estate Pinot Noir

Wine Spectator

94

points

2017 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir

Wine Spectator

Sonoma Coast Wineries Need Your Love Now More Than Ever

Food & Wine

As restaurants close and in-person tastings have been greatly diminished, this is a good time to support your favorite wineries by stocking up on their bottles. The pandemic is impacting businesses across the entire swath of the economy, and wine producers are no different.

Wine Warriors

North Bay Biz

Silicon Valley Bank’s annual wine report is noted for giving an accurate picture of current trends, so when its State of the Wine Industry Report 2019 was unveiled in January last year, it included some unsettling news for vintners. After more than two decades of steady growth, sales had slowed significantly.

91

points

10 Savory Sonoma Zinfandels at 90+ Points

Wine Spectator

Sonoma is home to many old-vine Zinfandel vineyards, with an impressive collection of century-old vineyards still producing superb wine. This week’s collection highlights several of the region’s Zinfandels, including a few old vine bottlings, and all scored at least 90 points on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale.

Press Release

Benovia Winery Tasting Room Temporarily Closed

Benovia has always been about family. When my wife, Mary, and I co-founded Benovia we created an extension of our family, along with our partner and winemaker, Mike Sullivan. Over More

Read More

Hooray for Chardonnay: A Global Guide to the World’s Best Bottles

Wine Enthusiast

Additional names to look for include Ramey Wine Cellars, Kistler Vineyards, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, J. Rochioli Vineyards & Winery, Hanzell Vineyards, Donum, Wayfarer, Hartford Court, Benovia, LaRue and Arista. Single-vineyard designates from Hyde Estate Winery, Hudson Ranch or Ritchie Vineyard are also well worth seeking…

Press Release

Coronavirus Preparedness at Benovia Winery

If you’re looking for a relaxing break, we welcome you to visit Benovia Winery. We recognize the impact and uncertainty that the coronavirus (COVID-19) is creating in our communities, and More

Read More

Taking You Back in Time - Bringing D-Day 75th to Life

Aviators Hot Line

How France influences California sparkling wines

Press Democrat

Winemakers Keep It Real on Thanksgiving

Wine Spectator

RECIPE: Willi's Seafood Salt & Pepper Riblets with Benovia Zinfandel

One Stop Shop for Entertaining

House & Home

This week’s blind tasting: Chardonnay

Press Democrat

RECIPE: Stark Restaurant Group Tunisian Carrots with Benovia Sparkling Wine

Highlights of 2019 Sonoma County Wine Auction

Press Democrat

RECIPE: Bird & the Bottle Watermelon Tomato Salad with Rosé of Pinot Noir

Six Latinx Experts Changing the Face of American Wine

Wine Enthusiast

Sonoma Wine Auction 2019 raises record breaking US$6.1 million

Decanter

Understanding Red Wine: How to Decide If Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir Is Your Preferred Style

Martha Stewart

95

points

2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

94

points

2017 Three Sisters Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

94

points

2016 Cohn Estate Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

Cellar Selection

93

points

2017 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

Editor’s Choice

94

points

2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

Benovia on KSRO Radio

KSRO Radio

Mike Sullivan Co-owner and Winemaker and Ed Thralls, General Manager of Benovia Winery were LIVE on KSRO 1350/103.5 Sonoma County’s News Talk with Karissa Kruse and Sonoma County Winegrowers

National Wine & Cheese Day

NBC DFW

July 25 was National Wine and Cheese day and our good friend Hayley Hamilton recommend Benovia with Gruyere cheese… what is your favorite cheese pairing?

A Perfect Match: Lamb Loin with Pinot Noir

Wine Spectator

Fantastic recipe by our good friend, Chef Dustin Valette in Healdsburg. It pairs beautifully with our Tilton Hill Pinot Noir!

The Vintage: Benovia’s D-Day Wine

Hemispheres Inflight Magazine

…California’s Benovia Winery is honoring the anniversary of D-Day with its own landing—and a commemorative beverage. Winery co-owner Joe Anderson, whose uncle flew B-29 bombers, is flying his 1942 C-53 troop carrier, The Spirit of Benovia, to Normandy…

Winemaker Flies WW2 Plane from Sonoma to Normandy to Join D-Day Squad

Wine Spectator

Benovia’s Joe Anderson took to the skies in his 1942 C-53 Skytrooper to commemorate the 75th anniversary

Sonoma County man flies over Normandy to commemorate 75th anniversary of D-Day

Press Democrat

It’s easy to get choked up imagining how Russian River vintner Joe Anderson felt to fly a World War II-vintage airplane over Normandy on Thursday, while everyone back home in Sonoma County slept.

It was still the wee hours in California when Anderson was scheduled to fly in formation with other modified Douglas DC-3 airliners only about 1,000 feet above the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. The occasion: the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

The Sonoma Pinot Noir Maker That’s Taking a Chance with a New Bubbly

Robb Report

Benovia isn’t exactly a newbie with the bubbles, having made a Blanc de Blancs from the same vineyard in 2012. And as a producer, it’s far from alone on this front. Benovia winemaker and co-owner Mike Sullivan, who admits to being a lover of sparkling wine and Champagne, describes the trend: “I think there is a flourishing interest among small artisan producers in making a traditional méthode champenoise sparkling wine in Sonoma County…”

98

points

2016 Tilton Hill Estate Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

Editors’ Choice

95

points

2016 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

95

points

2016 Bella Una Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

94

points

2016 La Pommeraie Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

94

points

2016 Martaella Estate Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

90

points

2016 Sonoma County Zinfandel

Wine Enthusiast

Benovia Winery co-founder, pilot flying over Normandy to honor D-Day troops

Press Democrat

Taking part in the commemorative D-Day Squadron is an airplane owned by the Russian River’s Benovia Winery. Benovia co-founder Joe Anderson and chief pilot Jeff Coffman are bound for Europe in The Spirit of Benovia, a DC-3 that did not participate in the D-Day invasion but aided the fight against Japan by flying treacherous supply missions over the Himalayas.

‘You Need a Lot of Muscle Power to Control This!’

Iceland Monitor

Long lines formed when five DC-3 aircraft were on display at Reykjavík Airport last night. Guests were invited to view two of them from the inside. The planes, part of a mission called D-Day Squadron, are some of the 15 DC-3 aircraft flying from Oxford, Connecticut, to Normandy, France, where they will take part in a ceremony June 6th, commemorating the Allied invasion of Normandy 75 years ago.

Online Winemaker Tasting Videos

Can’t visit the tasting room? Watch Mike Sullivan, our co-owner & winemaker offer his tasting notes for this Spring’s Release wines

Spirit of Benovia Flies for 75th D-Day Commemoration [Video]

Benovia Winery

Sparkling Sonoma - Valette Seafood Recipe & Benovia 2015 Sparkling Wine

Wine Enthusiast

“Local bubbly inspires California chefs to create lavish seafood-centric dishes… We asked three of Sonoma County’s most talented chefs to share a dish alongside one of their favorite sparkling selections from the region.”

Never Before, Never Again Wine Lots Featured at Sonoma County Barrel Auction

KRON 4 NEWS

“We think that wines from Sonoma County are world class because of our diverse climate and unique soils, said Mike Sullivan, Benovia Winery Co-owner and Winemaker. “We can grow almost any grape varietal in Sonoma County and make world-class wine from them.

93+

points

2016 Tilton Hill Estate Pinot Noir

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Medium to deep ruby-purple, the 2016 Pinot Noir Tilton Hill has an intense, savory nose with aromas of cracked black pepper, smoked meats, baked black cherries and berries with herbs suggestions. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense in the mouth, it has fine, grainy supporting tannins and lovely refreshing acidity to lift up the flavor on the very long finish. 300 cases produced.

92+

points

2016 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The deep ruby-purple colored 2016 Pinot Noir La Pommeraie has a concentrated nose of warm blackberry and black cherry with blue fruit preserves and notes of wet earth, cassis, sweet spice and savory hints. Medium to full-bodied, it offers dense fruit in the mouth with grainy supporting tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing very long. 392 cases produced.

92+

points

2016 La Pommeraie Chardonnay

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2016 Chardonnay La Pommeraie opens with notes of hazelnut, toast, sweet spice and smoke over a core of baked yellow apples, croissant, lemon cream and stone. Medium to full-bodied with a creamy texture, it offers good concentration of ripe fruits with savory, toasty and creamy layers, lingering long on the finish. 304 cases produced.

94

points

2015 Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine

Wine Enthusiast

Dry and quietly fruity, this new offering from the producer combines half estate-grown Chardonnay and half estate-grown Pinot Noir into a rich, creamy whole that’s brimming in red apple, tangerine and brioche. Velvety in texture, it offers plenty of robust body around a structure of balanced acidity and lasting mousse. —V.B.

91

points

2016 Sonoma County Zinfandel

Wine Spectator

Polished and precise, with an elegantly briary core showing raspberry, roasted sage and bold black pepper notes. Drink now through 2024. T.F.

Your Rosé May Be Late this Year: Wine and the Government Shutdown

Wine Spectator

The battle in Washington is inflicting headaches and possible financial pain on wineries and importers…

Richard Petty Mustang auctioned to benefit Barrow

AZ Big Media

An exclusive 2015 Ford Petty’s Garage Stage 2 Mustang GT will be auctioned off during the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with 100 percent of the hammer price benefiting patient care and research at Barrow Neurological Institute. The custom Mustang GT has been signed and designed by Richard Petty. The car was donated to Barrow Neurological Foundation by Joe Anderson, chairman of Benovia Winery.

A new airshow takes off

General Aviation News

On the central coast of California, north of Santa Barbara, lies the city of Santa Maria. While residents are accustomed to the occasional rocket launches from neighboring Vandenberg Air Force Base, they were clearly pleased for the launch of a new local airshow.

92

points

2015 Sonoma Mountain Grenache

Wine Enthusiast

Working in a Crowded Market? Here's How to Stand Out and Improve Profit Margins

Inc. Magazine

Simple, right? Yet that’s so much easier said than done, particularly when the highest margin opportunities in your industry are also hidden behind barriers of rigid and complex regulatory systems.

91

points

2016 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Wine Spectator

A creamy and plush white, with well-structured flavors of apple pastry, pear and ripe melon that are lathered in plenty of spice. The buttery finish is broad and rich-tasting. Drink now through 2021.

92

points

2015 Sonoma County Zinfandel

Wine Enthusiast

Generously rich and layered, this wine is also lovely in aromas of rose petal and lavender, its texture soft and supple. Dark cherry and red licorice give it fruity savory flavor around a full-bodied ripeness that will please a broad array of palates.

90

points

2016 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

From the producer’s Martaella Estate vineyard, planted to heirloom clones, this is a lovely white, buttery in texture with a crisp backbone that balances the lushness on the palate with freshness. Green apple, blood orange and toasted oak mingle effortlessly and with a touch of spice.

93

points

2016 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

From several of the producer’s estate sites, as well as the Zio Tony Ranch farmed by the Martinelli family, this wine exudes rich, velvety blue and black fruit flavors within a context of firm tannins and integrated oak. Dots of white pepper and cardamom complete the complex experience.

93

points

2016 Three Sisters Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

This is made from the spectacular coastal vineyard farmed by the Martinelli family, showing the cool-climate grip of tart, tangy acidity. Flavors of apple blossom and Meyer lemon custard give it an unctuous quality that’s hard to resist.

Press Release

Benovia’s Mike Sullivan Named Winery Co-Owner & Winemaker of the Year

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (November 21, 2018) – Benovia Winery, a small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley, is pleased to announce the North Bay Business More

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Good wine makes the perfect diversion when dinner conversation turns tense

The Press Democrat

Wine as a peacekeeper? If you have some interesting choices on the table, it can make a great way to steer the conversation into less heated, but engaging territory.

Pair These Wines With Your Turkey This Thanksgiving

D Magazine

Thanksgiving is days away, and as you plan your Thursday feast, you should also consider these wine pairing tips. Red, white, and rosé are all appropriate with the meal, keeping these points in mind…

First Glass: Mike Sullivan

North Bay Biz

This is the question NorthBay biz posed to some notable winemakers in Sonoma and Napa counties. Here, they candidly share the intimate details of that first glass of wine that captivated them, revealing their passions and personalities.

Visit and Taste! New Sips Across Napa and Sonoma Valleys

Napa Sonoma Magazine

Benovia’s tasting room, housed on a working ranch, was recently refreshed with floor-to-ceiling windows, rustic wood floors, and a refinished fireplace…

Sonoma's Wine Auction Grows Up in 2018

Robb Report

At the end of the day, though, it’s about Sonoma’s exquisite wines—such as Patz & Hall, Williams Selyem, Silver Oak, and Benovia.

A New Pinot Noir Honors D-Day Liberators

Robb Report

Sonoma’s Benovia Winery will join airborne forces to commemorate the invasion’s anniversary next year.

Sonoma Stories: On D-Day, a vintner and student of history will fly over the beaches of Normandy

The Press Democrat

Anderson, chairman of the Russian River Valley’s Benovia Winery, will hopscotch from the U.S. to France in his storied, two-engine, World War II-era C-53 Skytrooper transport plane.

Wine Expert Mark Oldman’s Perfect Pairings for Sunday Concerts at the Tent

Aspen Sojourner

What to sip as you listen to the symphony from the lawn outside the Benedict Music Tent? For input, we turned to wine expert Mark Oldman, one of the most entertaining presenters at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen going on 13 years… What to drink while you’re listening to Beethoven, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, and more.

Sonoma Does Tasting Rooms Right

Robb Report

A slow, quiet evolution has transformed Sonoma’s wineries into the best places to taste this summer.

95

points

Rave Review of Benovia 2015 Three Sisters Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

“The combination of climate, elevation and soil type-there’s lots of shale at Three Sisters-is distinctive in Sonoma County. It produces Chardonnay fruit with high natural acidity…”

Wine Enthusiast Reviews Benovia's 2015 Estate and Single Vineyard Wines

97 points – 2015 La Pommeraie Chardonnay
95 points – 2015 Tilton Hill Estate Pinot Noir
95 points – 2015 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir
93 points – 2015 Martaella Estate Pinot Noir

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Reviews Benovia's 2015 Vintage

95+ points – 2015 Three Sisters Chardonnay
93+ points – 2015 Tilton Hill Estate Pinot Noir
93 points – 2015 La Pommeraie Chardonnay
91+ points – 2015 Cohn Estate Pinot Noir
91 points – 2015 Martaella Estate Pinot Noir
91 points – 2015 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir
91 points – 2015 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
90 points – 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Sonoma County wine auction raises over $840,000, up 6%

Press Democrat

…the highest bid went to one of the special fire-relief lots, a pinot noir collaboration called “Resilience” from AldenAlli, Arista Winery, Benovia Winery and Williams Selyem. The 20-case lot featured grapes picked from the Sonoma Coast and the Russian River Valley and sold for $70,000, equaling $291 per bottle.

Adventurous Women Over 50 - Mary Dewane

GoodHousekeeping

The Outdoor Adventurer

Mary Dewane, 66, co-founder of Benovia Winery, avid skier, diver, triathlete, and cyclist.

“I would encourage all women to find their passion, pursue it, and stick with it. For me, physical activity and outdoor sports have been important. It is who I am and how I feel about myself, and it has helped me with confidence and control in other aspects of my life. I love that at this age, I can introduce skiing, kayaking, and diving to my grandchildren!”

Wine Spectator Reviews Benovia's 2015 Vintage

92 Points – 2015 Martaella Estate Pinot Noir

92 Points – 2015 Tilton Hill Estate Pinot Noir

92 Points – 2015 Sonoma County Zinfandel

91 Points – 2015 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir

91 Points – 2015 La Pommeraie Chardonnay

Benovia's 2018 Spring Release is Now Available

We are excited to announce Benovia’s 2018 Spring Release! We welcome back a few of our summertime favorites that were of extremely limited supply in the previous vintage along with the exceptional and very ageable 2015 Cohn Estate Pinot Noir.

Recipe: Benovia Winemaker Mike Sullivan’s Cassoulet

Cowboys & Indians Magazine

…sense of home comes through in every morsel and slurp of Sullivan’s warm and homey cassoulet recipe pairing perfectly with a nice pinot noir.

Taste This: Wine Barrels...Why do they matter?

Wine barrels are usually made of oak but what kind of oak? Did you know that wine barrels are often toasted? Leslie Sbrocco, host of Taste This, visits winemaker & co-owner Mike Sullivan of Benovia Winery in Santa Rosa, to get to the bottom of…the barrel.

Watch Video

Pruning Season in the Russian River Valley

Travel Bites, Flights and Sights

To deeply appreciate the wine, understanding what it takes to get the juice into the glass is integral. That’s why last weekend’s vine pruning seminar at Benovia Winery was both fascinating and educational.

Now Showing in Sonoma

Performances Magazine: The Wallis

Sonoma county may be known for its wineries, rugged Pacific coastline and redwood forests, but in March, film buffs have four more reasons to visit

After the October wildfires, California Wine Country is ready to pop some corks

The Washington Post

At Benovia Winery, Matt drove down a gravely lane that cut through the vineyard like a middle hair part. On an outdoor terrace, a quartet of women sipped wine, clearly relishing their time away from their dependents. Mike Sullivan, co-owner and winemaker at Benovia, joined us inside a baronial room that, if it could talk, would sound like Ian McKellen.

Press Release

Benovia Winery Announces New Leadership Structure with Ed Thralls as General Manager and Co-Founder Mary Dewane as Vice Chairman

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (February 15, 2018) – Benovia Winery, a small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley, is pleased to announce new leadership with Ed More

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Cultural and Culinary Theme Cruises for 2018-19

Travel Pulse

Wine connoisseurs will want to take note that Benovia Winery Proprietors Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane and Wine Educator Peg Melnik will be hosting an AmaWaterways river cruise.

Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest: Raise a toast

News-Press

Here’s a toast to the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest’s 10th anniversary. Nine years and $18.7 million later, the largest fundraising event for the nonprofit SWFL Children’s Charities has consistently ranked as one of the top-grossing wine fests in the country.

91

points

Benovia 2015 La Pommeraie Chardonnay

Wine Spectator

Offers lots of rich fig, melon, apple and citrus flavors without being weighty. Gains complexity and depth, becoming more charming and elegant.

2018 Naples Winter Wine Festival: How much did each auction lot go for?

Naples Daily News

Hundreds came out to the Naples Winter Wine Festival to raise money for the Naples Children & Education Foundation on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. Since the auction and festival began in 2001, the festival has raised more than $161 million for children.

Prince of Pinot 2017 Wineries of the Year

PinotFile

Benovia Winery and Kutch Wines are this year’s California “Wineries of the Year.” The two wineries present quite a contrast. Benovia has a more glamorous winemaking facility and hospitality center in Santa Rosa…

50 Best Wines of 2017

VinePair

#35 Benovia 2014 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
You’ll quickly fall in love with this featherweight, transparent ruby-hued wine. It is incredibly floral and delicate, with bright red cherry and barely-there tannins.

98

points

Benovia 2015 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir

PinotFile

Highly nuanced perfume… focused and adroit with a dreamy velvety texture… proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove.

94

points

Benovia 2015 Tilton Hill Estate Pinot Noir

PinotFile

Deep, dark garnet color in the glass. The nose opens beautifully over time in the glass, revealing hi-tone aromas of black raspberry, spice box, underbrush and warm brioche. Lush and concentrated, with vigorous fruit flavors of blackberry, black raspberry and ollaliberry.

94

points

Benovia 2015 Martaella Estate Pinot Noir

PinotFile

Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. More forward drinking, with lifted aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, cola, spice and wilted rose. Delicious core of black fruits framed by discreet tannins. Very polished and fresh in character, with an extremely long and fruited finish.

92

points

Benovia 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

PinotFile

Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Those nose opens in stages over time in the glass to a wondrous perfume of dark cherry and berry and spice. Quite dark fruited on the palate in a mid weight plus style of great concentration accented with a note of Asian 5-spice.

For the holidays, choose wines that give back

Today Show

Sonoma County’s Culture of Caring

Wine Enthusiast

After the Northern California wildfires, one Sonoma local spotlights the wineries and businesses in her county that are giving back to the community.

95

points

Benovia 2015 Three Sisters Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

With a persistence of lightly-toasted oak, this youthful wine offers intense luxury. A gritty, stony texture complements its delicious aspects of lemon rind and anise. Green apple, ocean spray and an underlying streak of dried herb provide additional complexity and length. –Virginie Boone

95

points

Benovia 2014 Bella Una Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

Thickly concentrated at first, this wine settles in the glass to share a wealth of juicy black-cherry flavor that’s impressively accented in black tea and cola spice. Medium bodied, it feels sublime on the palate and holds its ripeness in check, allowing a simmering acidity to speak. –Virginie Boone

94

points

Benovia 2015 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast

Floral, with a beautiful oak imprint, this wine is deep gold in color and sharply satisfying in complex layers of tangerine and grapefruit. Medium bodied and well integrated, it impresses from start to finish, ending in a bite of crunchy green apple dipped in honey. –Virginie Boone

92

points

Benovia 2015 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

Vibrant on the nose and expertly put together, this is a well-made appellation wine, expansive in dark cherry, pomegranate and plum. Generous in oak and tannin in its youth, it shows a full-bodied finish that settles smoothly into velvety waves of cardamom and rose. –Virginie Boone

93

points

Benovia 2012 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine

Wine Enthusiast

Made entirely from Chardonnay, this is a bright sparkling wine, bubbling in acidity and dry, leavened layers of apple and pear. A creaminess of vanilla balances the crispness, making for a successful small-production sparkler. –Virginie Boone

Robb Report: Benovia Winery

Robb Report

Located right in Sonoma’s Santa Rosa, which took much of the hit from the fires, Benovia is waiving tasting fees and donating $50 per tasting appointment to three funds.

North Bay fire fundraiser Rise Up Sonoma draws hundreds for fine food and wine

Press Democrat

More than 600 attended the event at Sonoma Country Day School, which featured 60 of San Francisco and Sonoma County’s finest chefs and restaurants, and 40 local wineries.

Go Winery-Hopping for a Great Cause

VisitCalifornia.com

These California wineries are donating tasting room sales to fire relief.

Sonoma After the Fires: What’s Damaged, What’s Not (And Deals)

Shermans Travel

Despite these terrifying figures, most of Northern California’s wine country was unscathed. Only a few businesses suffered significant damage and most vineyards were untouched—in fact, the vines actually stopped the flames.

Don’t Cancel Your Wine Country Travel Plans

Travel+Leisure

What many people may not know, however, is that the fires are effectively extinguished, and now is actually a great time to visit the region.

Northern California's wine country needs you to visit

CNN Travel

The fall harvest season is traditionally a busy time of year for Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, whose economies depend on visitors tasting their wine, booking their hotels and dining in their restaurants.

What to Drink Now: California Pinot Noir

D Magazine

Elegance and harmony shine in each of the Pinot Noir wines produced by Benovia, particularly their raspberry and cherry filled Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir…

Recipe: Blackberry-Glazed Liberty Duck

Cowboys & Indians

Dazzle guests with this inviting, warming entrée from Valette restaurant and Mary Dewane’s Cohn Estate Vineyard Blackberry Jam.

French fry bar?! Three wineries with great food

The Mercury News

Like wine tasting? Of course you do. But admit it: The experience is so much better when the tasting room offers really good food to soak up all those tannins. Here are three we’re loving in Napa and Sonoma:

Benovia: A Passion for Wine

Drink Me

Some stories have mini stories that need to be mentioned while the main one is told, the story of the Benovia Vineyard is one of those stories.

Everything you wanted to know about the Sonoma wine auction and its Dallas connections

Dallas News

…for Texans who want to try out an auction full of wine, beautiful scenery (and weather) and not a drop of pretentiousness, the Sonoma County Wine Auction is a great start.

CNBC's Power Lunch - Healthcare and Wine

CNBC

Joe Anderson, Benovia Winery CEO and former CEO of Schaller Anderson, weighs in on the future of health care and how he’s transitioned into the business of wine.

Watch Video

25 Wines for the Second Half of Summer

The Daily Meal

Sauvignon blancs in profusion, some well-priced Chablis, a rosé, and a few good reds

Uncork these and make splash with the neighbors

The Press Democrat

When you live in Wine Country, the idiom “Keeping up with the Joneses” takes on new meaning. Impressive wines are the rage.

Excellent Values from Recent Tastings

The Press Democrat

Benovia Pinot Noir Tilton Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast 2014 —Perched on a ridge just a few miles from the ocean, this is Benovia’s coolest vineyard. Delicious, wild strawberry and raspberry flavors.

How much for This Jeroboam? For this Famous Chef? Food Festivals Lure the Wealthy

New York Times

And then, pointing to his left on the dais, eliciting admiring pants from the hundreds in attendance, he indicated an example of the rarest: an 18-liter bottle, a 2014 pinot noir from Benovia Winery in California. A Melchior, it contained $1,920 worth of wine.

25 New Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, and Other Good Things

The Daily Meal

Here are some of the better new ones, along with a few other white wines worth considering and eight recently released reds.

What Makes Some Wine So Expensive

Food & Wine

During his Wines for Zillionaires Seminar at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Mark Oldman let us in on what can make a bottle so pricey.

Alec Baldwin Does Good, Drinks Well at LymeAid

Wine Spectator

Not one to shy away from a wine-soaked soirée, Alec Baldwin was a model master of ceremonies, keeping the crowd laughing, but also talking about his personal experience with the disease.

The yellow, er, pink rosé of Texas: Chronicle tasting panel's recommendations

Houston Chronicle

Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendation with a high score of 9.4. “Well-balanced with soft tannins.” My score: 9.1. “Complex, layered wine. Elegant.”

Press Release

Benovia Winery Co-Founder and Owner Mary Dewane Named General Manager

Benovia Winery, is pleased to announce that winery co-founder and owner Mary Dewane has been appointed general manager. Dewane co-founded the small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley with her husband, Joe Anderson, in 2005. Benovia is best-known for its expressive, estate-produced Pinot Noir and bright, complex Chardonnay.

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Press Release

Benovia’s Joe Anderson, Mary Dewane win Wine Industry Award for winery ownership

Benovia Winery owners Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane were power players in health care before diving into wine in 2002. The couple talked with the Business Journal about how a harvest peddle through Wine Country has led to a decade so far of peddling prized pinot noir and chardonnay wine and building a bounty of contributions to Sonoma County charities.

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