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146 reviews for Benziger Family Winery
146 reviews in English
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Review from Britt R.
Seattle, WA
12/24/2011
What a great experience! This winery remains one of my favorite tasting rooms and tours in the area.
The tour is interesting and the staff very knowledgeable and friendly. -
Review from Lance W.
2/3/2012
My family had the opportunity to visit Benziger and really enjoyed the experience. Kathy Benziger gave us the VIP tour and she was an amazing host. She took the time to explain to my 9 year old son how the ecosystem of the vineyards leverages plants, animals, insects and the local climate to grow great grapes. She even gave him some fresh grapevine clippings to plant at home...
I would highly recommend Benziger for anyone looking to learn more about organic and bio-dynamic viticulture. The place is amazing. This grounds are super peaceful and it is a joy to spend a sunny afternoon here watching the lambs frolic and the Scottish Highlander's play. The barrel caves are also a must see.
The estate wines are amazing. I purchased 6 bottles and they only lasted 2 days. My group of 6 traveling partners had 3 bottles each night with dinner. The crowd favorites were the Tribute and Obsidian Point.
I'll return next time that I am in the Bay Area.. -
Review from Angie W.
12/5/2011
WOW, this place is just spectacular!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe what they have done with it. SO GREEN!!!
The '07 Sauvignon Blanc was to die for!!!
Can't wait to go back!!Listed in: Wineries | Sonoma
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Review from Ashley J.
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a beautiful winery this is. I wasn't able to take the tour due to time constraints this time around, but would love to take a tour here eventually. The land is just beautiful and the wine was excellent. I'll be back for a tour soon!
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Review from Anna S.
Roseville, CA
1/26/2012
What a beautiful winery. We came over Thanksgving weekend for a tour. So much fun. The winery is beautiful and the tour was a lot of fun. It was also very informative and we learned a lot about making wine. The wine cave was very interesting and fun to go in. When we came in late November all the colors in the winery were vibrant and stunning. This place is just amazing.
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Review from Tammy C.
11/12/2011 7 photos
(See pics)
Review #1042.
Tram tour. I love visiting wineries where they tell you their family history, show you what their passion, why and how they do it. It gives character and culture to their wines instead of just drinking it.
Benziger has a nice little tour hauling from its red tractor. The uphill grapes, the cave like hallway, the barrels outside and inside, all enchanting you to want to understand the complexity of the wines, and slowly opens up the mysterious harvest process. -
Review from Liwei Y.
1/9/2012
Had a great experience here! The wine here was really excellent and the sommelier was very friendly. My favourite here was one of their Cabernet Sauvignons. This winery is gorgeous and you can take a little self-tour of the biodynamic area.
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Review from Josh R.
Castro Valley, CA
1/16/2012
A 3.5 for the wine, 1 for their "biodynamics" mysticism scam that they are running.
First the wine, in brief: All the wines we tasted there were quite decent but overpriced. If you are looking for value, definitely look elsewhere. The only other winery I have seen that is so out of touch with its own value was Turley. Their "biodynamic estate" Bordeaux blend was most definitely not an $80 bottle of wine. It was a solid bottle of wine though, I would rate it a fair buy at around $40.
As for the biodynamics, I find it disingenuous at best. Biodynamics basically starts with a basis of organic farming. Thats great. Organic farming has proven benefits to the crop, the land its grown on, and to the consumer, its a win all around.
But then biodynamics adds a layer of mysticism. They bury cow horns with manure, silicate, horsetail, etc all separately in the vineyard and according to the lunar cycle. These are then dug up and sprayed onto the vineyard.
Have a problem with mice causing damage and leaving your vines susceptible to fungal infections? Take the dried skin of a mouse, mix it with sulfur, and spray it onto the field.
This would all be nice talking points except for the fact that this winery touts itself as being "chemical free" in the vineyard. Some of the plant extracts they are spraying onto the field are the basis for conventional farming's insecticides and fungicides.
Sulfur is widely used in conventional and organic grape growing as a fungal inhibitor.
So how can they advertise themselves as chemical free when they are spraying many of the same chemicals used in conventional farming? -
Review from Glenn G.
10/26/2011 11 photos
I visited Benzinger on the afternoon of the second day of my October 2011 Wine Country adventure, immediately after my Salon Tasting at Audelssa. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
One of my two virtual Wine Country guides, the tirelessly helpful and amazingly knowledgeable Jennifer CP, had suggested that I take the tram tour here, and that's exactly what I did. I hopped on the last Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour http://www.yelp.com/bi... for that day. The price of the tour was $15, and well worth it for something so beautifully different, informative, and enjoyable.
First up, our tour guide invited everyone on the tour to ask any questions they might have about Wine Country in general. I asked about the effect of Prohibition on Wine Country, and was treated to a very informative and knowledgeable response. I'll spare you most of the details, but will share two points from his response:
1) Prohibition was the second of two great disasters for Wine Country in the twentieth century - the first was the 1906 Earthquake, which destroyed the vast majority of the spas that had been built to utilize the hot springs in the area.
2) Almost the Death Knell of the American Wine industry, Prohibition was repealed in 1932, but the industry didn't really begin to recover from it until the 1970s, some forty years later.
Next, the tour wound its way through the beautiful Benzinger property, with stellar views of the Sonoma Mountains and the Benzinger vineyard. http://www.yelp.com/bi... and I was interested to note that not all Benzinger's wines are biodynamic.
The second-to-last stop on the tour were the barrel caves http://www.yelp.com/bi..., where we learned a bit about the effect that the treatment of the barrels has on the flavor of the wine. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The last stop was the tasting room, where we got to try five of Benziger's wines. Of these, I most enjoyed the 2007 Bruschera Vineyard Zinfandel (I bought a bottle for $45) and the 2007 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (I bought a bottle for $40). I'm sorry to say that I was more than a little disappointed with the only Biodynamic wine I got to taste, the 2006 Oonapais Bordeaux Blend. Its color was quite muddy, and the tannins (which the tasting menu describes as "big, but soft") were so strong and sharp that you could cut diamonds with them.
In summary, I'd say the overall tasting room experience was OK, but not on a par with the much more unusual and elegant pleasures of Benziger's tour. The customer service was a bit harried in spots, but everyone remained pleasant and helpful throughout.
I'd highly recommend a visit to Benzinger, and by all means take their wonderfully unique Biodynamic Vineyard Tram Tour!Listed in: California Wineries
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Review from Alison B.
Washington, DC
10/13/2011
Choosing a winery is a difficult task when you're an indecisive, self-professed beer addict with less than 24 hours to spend in the Sonoma valley. Thankfully, our gracious B&B host (separate rave review to come later) pointed us in the right direction and 15 minutes later, we were pulling into Benziger's parking lot.
Whoa. This place is gorgeous.
We immediately signed up for the $15 tractor tour which bought us a ride through the vineyards and to different areas of the property, an inside look at the wine cave (quite awesome) and a tasting. I wish I had gotten our guide's name - he was great. Easygoing, super friendly, non-cheesy and really knew his stuff. After the tour was over, he thanked our group and showed us to the Tasting Room, where a few staff members were waiting to get us tipsy.
Why not the full 5 stars? The guy who conducted our tasting was a bit younger than the other employees (who all seemed to be having a blast) and clearly wasn't feeling our late afternoon arrival. When I asked, "Which is your favorite?" aka, "Uneducated girl ISO a recommendation, please", he simply said, "Syrah" and looked in the other direction. Well then. I mean, I guess I sort of understand his annoyance: he probably sees dozens of tour groups roll in day after day with the same old questions (mine included), flexing their own bits of wine knowledge. But how about a little warmth, chet?
We ended up buying a bottle of chardonnay (or was it the sauve blanc?) and sipped on it in the Nymph Garden. Chuckle chuckle.
Impatient tasting room guy aside, it was a perfect afternoon. Our short stay in Glen Ellen afforded us just enough time to visit one winery and we couldn't have picked a better one. Yay Benziger. -
Review from Anna A.
Napa, CA
8/29/2011
Benziger Family Winery is a fun, fascinating destination in the Sonoma Valley. The winery is built on the slopes of an extinct volcano, and the winery teaches geology- such as the fact that the 1906 Earthquake REALLY quieted down the Sonoma Valley hot springs.
The tractor tour is excellent. It's the usual "this is how wine is made" kicked up several notches. One sees a replica of the Parthenon on the property. One sees an insectorium. One learns about biodynamic farming, invented by Rudolf Steiner (who also came up with the Waldorf Schools approach)
There's a tasting at the end. The gift shop is great! It's a short distance from the Sonoma Plaza as well as Jack London's ranch. Enjoy! -
Review from Kris R.
Daly City, CA
Updated - 10/10/2011
So here I am a year later back wine tasting in Glen Ellen (which is underrated to all you wine/ambiance seekers). This is a little late but I've been in a wine induced coma since May. After my last experience I was hesitant but Sil who might be among the best PR people out there in a highly packed industry was quick to want to rectify my experience and I was persuaded to give it another shot with a clean slate. He helped set up a tasting and wasn't pushy and if anything extremely apologetic.
I took my mom as a surprise who wanted to come into town for wine tasting, something she never treats herself to but always seems to have a high opinion of wine. She'd be the test. I came with my dad (finicky wine drinker) and my sister (non wine drinker) as well.
Upon checking in it was packed much like last time, I had flashbacks. But my mom seemed interested in the biodynamic/organic farming that they specialize in and take great pride in sharing. When we checked in we were immediately paired up with Greg who would walk us through the tastings. He got our vibe, especially my mom's and wasn't pushy and didn't hover and listen to us talk about the wine. We ended up leaving with a bunch of fantastic wines and nothing but pure respect for a winery that cares immensely about their service and doing right by their customers. We will be returning and we're always now keeping an eye out for their wine at our local shops!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/17/2010
It was very cool that it was a BioDynamic vineyard and that it's been family run for so long so you… Read more »
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Review from Anne N.
Menlo Park, CA
12/10/2011
We went on their tram tour of the winery. Our guide was fun and knowledgeable about the winery and the production, and came with some good stories. The tour was $15, but it concluded with a tasting. We also bought a glass what we enjoyed with a little picnic lunch afterwards, great surroundings and atmosphere!
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Review from Sheila S.
Dallas, TX
7/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
The highlight of Benzinger is their unique twist on a tour; you are driven around the property by a tractor and there are stellar views of the Sonoma mountains and their vineyards. It is interesting to learn about their Biodynamic winemaking process; however, it is also interesting to learn that not all their wines are biodynamic.
The price of the tour and tasting is $15 pp, which is worth paying for something a little different and considering their beautiful property tucked in the hills. There are small picnic grounds, but you are better off saving your picnic for Chateau St. Jean which is breath taking. The wines at Benzinger are just OK, we preferred wines at Buena Vista and Chateau St Jean if you are in Sonoma. -
Review from Rachael W.
Glen Ellen, CA
6/26/2011
Absolute perfection. Shell out the extra money for the Partners tour. It's well worth it.
http://www.2travelingd... -
Review from Autumn S.
Decatur, GA
11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love love love this place. This was by far the best vineyard experience I had on my tour. Dr. Bob rocks!
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Review from Eric S.
Cedar Park, TX
6/22/2011
Although we are far from connoisseurs, we have been to a number of wineries over the years and the Benziger Family Winery has been, by far, the best experience we ever had.
Most people show up here for the tram tours that give you a basic overview of the winery, and to be honest, that was our prime motivator for coming. On a hot Sunday in the valley we decided to spring a little extra for the 'partners' tour. Instead of being on tractor-pulled tram with 40 or 50 other people, the partners' tour is limited to ten people who are taken all over the winery grounds on a electric cart. Since the cart is much smaller, you get to experience the entire grounds, not just the part large enough for the tractor to fit. During the tour of the grounds we got our first tasting - a lovely savignon blanc. The tour ends with an overview of the equipment used to begin processing the grapes into wine.
Once you're done with the grounds, you are ushered into the 'caves' - an underground area the Benzigers built to provide a temperature-controlled space for thousands of barrels of curing wines. Your small group is then ushered into a small room off one of the hallways for a seated tasting of wines not generally available in the tasting room. We're not huge fans of red wines (horrors, I know!) but the Benziger wines appealed very much even to us. We had our own rep assigned to the group to take us through the wines, describe them, and answer all the questions we had. At no point were we rushed or pressured to buy anything.
After the seated tasting was finished, we were then given the opportunity to go into another private space in the main tasting room - away from the Father's Day crowd mobbing the bar - and were allowed to taste any and all of the wines available to the general public, and at no additional charge. It was a wonderful way to spend a late morning and early afternoon.
This truly is a family winery, and it's run in a totally natural way without chemicals or artifical additives to the land or the wine itself. It's certified as 'Biodynamic' .. way tougher than simply being 'organic.' While waiting for our tour to start, we walked through the lovely exhibit that described all the things the Benzigers do in order to earn the Biodynamic label. The net result: some very, very tasty wines and people who really seem to care about their stewardship of the land. Most highly recommended! -
Review from Robert C.
Sherman Oaks, CA
8/20/2011
We were there approx 2 wks ago. Very good experience in the tasting room w/ Tom. Nice guy who really took his time w/ our group of six. We actually did the Partners/Reserve tasting. These wines were really good, all of them. They were Bordeaux like blends. They were a little more pricey but well worth it. I became a club member to ensure that I can get some of these in the mail each yr.
Great experience and the grounds are beautiful. Will plan to go on a guided tour if possible. A variety of wines at different prices for everyone. Would really rec this winery if your in the Sonoma area. -
Review from Carrie-C N.
San Jose, CA
7/16/2011
After my much anticipated trip to Imagery for their Merlot, I found out that they sold the Merlot to their brother winery, Benziger. Needless to say, I made my way up the windy hill (that's not on GPS might I add), to this cozy vineyard. Don't drive up that hill if you're drunk, please please please don't.
Anyway, I got a taste of the Merlot, and several other wines too. They're good, and the Merlot was as good as I remembered it. My memory might've been a bit fuzzy b/c I was a bit tipsy that day. But, all in all, a good wine, and for $19!!!! Can't pass that up. -
Review from Leily P.
Oakland, CA
7/5/2011
This winery was our group's first stop in Sonoma for wine tasting - I've only gone in Napa so this was my first time in a family owned winery. Although we probably could've done without the tram tour, the people and the service here definitely made it a worthwhile trip.
We tried to buy tickets for 6 on the first tram of the day but since they couldn't fit all of us, we took the next one and went to the wine tasting room to kill some time. The lady behind the counter greeted us and after finding out that we were waiting for our tram, she offered all of us complimentary tastings! We ended up buying a bottle of one of their limited release cabs. The tram itself was okay - the more interesting part was touring the wine cave.
Overall I would say that if you're in Sonoma - I would definitely stop by, the scenery is gorgeous. However based on my experience - this is a very different feel than the wineries in Napa, which are catered towards a different crowd. -
Review from Cheryl K.
Darn! Me and my husband missed the last tour of the day and we were only staying in Sonoma for a night. Total bummer. Next time we are in Sonoma, this will be the first place we will visit so we can get that tour.
Anyways, there were multiple tasting rooms and we chose to taste their reserves or estate wines. I am not a wine connoisseur but these wines were awesome. I even contemplated bringing some back to Hawaii but I unfortunately didn't. My favorite wine was the Signaterra "Three Blocks". It was $20 bucks to taste 5 wines from their Reserves or Biodynamic Wines. I really enjoyed this winery and am contemplating on joining their wine club. -
Review from Jerry S.
San Francisco, CA
4/25/2011
Mike Benziger and his wife Mary first discovered what was originally the Glen Ellen estate at Sonoma Mountain back in 1980. Immediately, Mike had a premonition that this is where he and his family belonged. He notes feeling that "our family was going to be successful and happy here." While the original property was already peppered with wine grapes, it's rumored they were just a cover, literally. During the '60s the vines were supposedly used as a cover crop for marijuana growing on the property. Most of that crop has been eradicated from the property, but some plants still pop up every now and then.
One of the biggest contributions Benziger has made to the wine growing process is their efforts in water conservation. So much that they earned NRDC's Green Growing Award for Water Stewardship. The vineyard recycles a mind-blowing 2 million gallons of water every year through home-spun wetlands and recycling ponds. Too put that in perspective, their conventional wine growing methods used about 24 gallons of water per barrel and they now use just 5!
Mike first came to California back in 1973 where he was living in his Jeep in San Francisco's Marina District--something you wouldn't get away with today. After saving enough money, he traveled to Europe to learn about wine. He then purchased the Sonoma Mountain estate in 1981 where his parents and his six siblings joined them in what was to become Napa's first certified biodynamic winery. In fact, it is one of the few California wineries that is still owned and operated the founding family--about 24 total family members.
Benziger is located in Glen Ellen, CA at Sonoma Mountain. The 85-acre estate, which almost forms a perfect bowl, has 29 unique micro-climates around the property. As a result, the Benzigers were extremely interested in preserving this unique location. But their initial trials did not start out with stellar results. Like everyone else around them they began farming conventionally. "Only vines should be in vineyards," they were taught. Using machines and pesticides, the heavy handed method took its toll on the land. There were no birds or insects, the silence was deafening for the property eventually became an ecological desert.
So they started to investigate other farming methods while slowly correcting what abuses had been done to the land. Chemical inputs were removed along with some of the vines. Many of the thirstier plants were replaced with olive trees and insectaries. The estate, which was on the brink of exhaustion, now has over 40 acres of these land-saving techniques.
But the land was not the only thing suffering. They were running out of water. The property's water wells became sluggish and unable to keep up with convention. So they redesigned the vineyard by not planting in areas with excessive water needs and by matching plant and root structure with the ground's water base. These methods paid off. In 2000, Benziger became the first certified biodynamic winemaker in Napa and Sonoma counties to receive this strict certification.
Biodynamic farming techniques were developed in the 1920s by Rudolph Steiner. They are a form of organic farming that take both the farmer and the farm into consideration with the addition of holistic practices. So along with Scottish Highlander cows and 75 sheep to tend the land, tea preparations are used to treat both the grapes and the terrior. The teas are made from everything from cow manure which has been aged underground to chamomile. These practices and the 29 different blocks that make up the Benziger estate add to amazing, complex and accessible wines.
Luckily, you can easily try them yourselves. While some of the wines can only be purchased at the tucked away estate, a lot of them can be bought at your local Safeway store or online at http://benziger.com. The wines are moderately priced with the cheapest running around $20 but you could easily spend $200 if you wanted. The tasting notes of Benziger wines are not limited to a single beat, the 29 different lots provide a roller coaster of varieties and notes. That said, the Obsidian brand is especially noteworthy. Named after the volcanic earth provided by Sonoma Mountain, the Obsidian label is smoky and deep yet surprisingly flexible.
Oddly enough, back in 1974, Mike had received a book on biodynamics from a guy he met in the wine industry. The book had remained on his bookshelf for years, unread. To think how the organic wine industry could have been today if he had only read it sooner. -
Review from Connie C.
5/19/2011
This is quite a winery! My bf's company treated us to free wine tasting, tour of the cave, and dinner in the cave as well.
The servers at the tasting were mostly friendly, one was a bit pushy, but the other was really nice and outgoing. My bf really enjoyed their pinot, and I liked their white wine. Prices were around 35-80 a bottle, depending on your preferences.
The cave was amazing. You could see all the barrals of wine that was currently being perserved. They also have signs posted up letting you know how things are made, and why they do it.
Dinner was amazing. We had two really long tables set up inside the cave with wine glasses up and ready. The food was very delicious as well.
If only it didn't rain that day! -
Review from Liz K.
Atlanta, GA
10/28/2011
Awesome and informative tram tour. Just wish you got more tastes!
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Review from Bony K.
San Diego, CA
Go on their tours (take the Partner's tour if you can for a more personable learning experience). The "biodynamic certified" farming is what made this place stand out. Even if you know some basics about wine you'll appreciate how much more you learn about wine growing from start to finish.
The consistencies of the smoothness of the wines we sampled and hearing/seeing how the tour guide and wine educator were so happy to work here and be part of the Benziger Family winery was even more impressive.
I guess I liked their wines so much and the service that I actually joined their wine club. -
Review from Jennifer C P.
San Francisco, CA
When Peter L was arranging his wine tasting UYE. . . I suggested Benziger with confidence.
Why?
Greg Berruto.
Who is he?
He was the same person who did my first tasting during my last trip here. Greg literally rolled out the red carpet for us by keeping our group together in the private tasting room. He was also busy pouring anything everyone in our group was curious to taste from the list. He provided great background information on the wines. . . the grapes, the soil, and the Benziger family. I learned so much during this tasting.
This time I left with 7 bottles (they honored my Imagery membership because they are relative wineries). Thanks to Greg, he turned me - a red wine drinker, onto a Grenache Rose. I know - right? Relative winery Imagery has a lot of white wines that are catered to palates that favor reds, and I think because Greg also pours at Imagery and he could see the lineup of wines I like to buy, he knew to give me a glass of the Rose. I found a "fabulously frisky" wine that I can bring for my favorite . . .impromptu picnics on sun-shiny days!
The things that I really appreciated? Greg went out of his way to be accomodating to our small crowd (we were originally slated to be a bigger group but the inclement weather deterred some) by keeping us together in one room, remembering which of us liked what wines so that we could purchase and have them wrapped and ready to go after we took the tram tour.
Tram Tour - what better place to learn about biodynamic wines than on the tram tour. It is excellent - worth every single penny! $15 for the tour and it includes a fin ride up the hill, a walk in the cave. Wait, not just any cave - THE CAVE. Smell the cave, take photos in the cave, enjoy the warmth of the cave, fall in love the cave (like I did). With the tour you also receive a tasting of 4 wines (Greg poured us wine before the tour, how nice!). Our tour guide was knowledgeable without being condescending or pretentious. He was friendly, professional, and just good fun!
I could not leave without picking up things from the gift shop and yummies from the fridge. I really love the recycled barrel items - so cool! I will be back for that table made from recycled wine barrel and a tray to hold my cheeses and wine glasses.
We had a great time. I highly recommend!
Thank you to everyone on hand at Benziger who worked so hard to show our group a great time!
I highly recommend!
My brain is still processing everything I learned here - I cannot say enough great things . . .did I mention I highly recommend!
PS: It's Ben-ZIG-er, not Ben-ZING-er like I was saying half toasty all day *wink*Listed in: Next Stop . . . Wine Country!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/21/2010
If you are a member at Imagery Winery, you will enjoy its relative, Benzinger.
We walked in and got… Read more »
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Review from Jessica L.
Brighton, MA
10/16/2011
AMAZING!!! My mom & I went on the Partners Tour recently and just loved it. The tour is $40 per person and worth every penny. There were only 10 people on the tour, and the tour guide uses a smaller vehicle around the winery, so we go to go places others didn't. And we got to have a private tasting (the ten of us) in a beautiful, intimate room in the cave. It was so fantastic! Paul is the storyteller once in the cave, and he tells you all about the wine and the history of the Benziger family. He has an incredible storytelling gift! (That said, if you can't get on the Partners Tour, I've heard the other tour is fantastic, too.)
I just loved this. Their port is INSANE. I bought two bottles, and I didn't even like Port before this trip!
This vineyard is really a must for Sonoma! (It's the only biodynamic winery, after all!) -
Review from Greg B.
4/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Normally, I'd give Benziger four stars because, like every winery, it has some pros and cons (and I'm a wine snob). But, what gives Benziger Family Winery the rare fifth star is that it has something that, after visiting dozens of wineries, I've never found - a very nice tour through the vineyards.
Not just around the vineyards or down the cellars, but their tour is on a tractor driving up the hill through the vineyard. Since doing this tour, I've tried to find another like it - there's nothing better than a wine tour and tasting out in the sun on a beautiful day. If it's a nice day and you are in the Glen Ellen area, Benziger is a must go!
Now, I did get a good laugh over their explanation of Biodynamic farming and "being one with the soil," but the lovely sunshine and gorgeous views made the day! -
Review from Stephanie W.
Chicago, IL
4/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend and I went winetasting a few weekends ago with some friends, and Benziger was our first stop.
This place reminded me of those old pioneer "communities" we used to visit in grade school. No, really. Between the chicken coop, the museum artifacts strewn around, the tram tours, and some quaint architecture, I was a little taken aback.
The tasting room is lovely...plenty of space for numerous tasters, and a nice selection of wines, cheeses, and meats on sale in addition to the regular knick knacks.
The customer service was honestly mediocre. The man helping us wasn't particularly friendly or forthcoming about the wines he was pouring, and I tend to want to know what I'm drinking (working on my wine education!).
We did the 5 pours for $10 tasting, and 4/5 wines weren't impressive. The only wine we really liked was the muscat dessert wine, which we bought so our friends could hit the 6-bottle 5% discount.
All in all, I wouldn't go out of my way to return to Benziger in the future. -
Review from Craig P.
Virginia Beach, VA
10/28/2011
We went on 17 October as part of our 25th Anniversary, making our first trip out to Sonoma and Napa from the East Coast.
Stayed at the Marriott Sonoma Spa and wanted to rent some bikes and ride them to a couple of wineries. Cost of bikes was $25 for the whole day ($10 cheaper than Napa) and located right on the premises.
Concierge recommended Valley of the Moon, Benziger, and a couple of others that were close enough to ride to.
Picked up a deli sandwich in town for a picnic, then rode west to Arnold Road which was much less trafficked than Hwy 12. Ride was fine - about 9 miles one way, with about 1 mile without a bike lane or shoulder to ride in. Motorists were polite without anyone trying to edge us off the road. Slowly rising terrain until you turn off Arnold for the final 1/2 mile to Benziger's which is a monster uphill grade. My wife walked part of it and I was in the lowest gear still pedaling because my pride kept me from hopping off and walking. Wish the concierge had warned us of that little item!
BTW, Marriott front desk had "Be a Wine Club Member for the Day" passes they gave out once they knew we were going there - saves $10 or $15 per person tasting fee, gets you to taste their higher grade pinot noir appellations and estates, and gets you a few bucks off the tram (tractor) ride and 20% off purchases of anything in the store. Recommend you snag a couple if you can.
Very stunning vineyard. The tour guide on the tractor - didn't catch his name, but was an ex-Navy Small Boat guy in younger days - gave a very personable history of the vineyard, winery, biodynamic farming, etc, etc. Great sense of humor, fielded all questions in a folksy manner that made everyone feel comfortable.
Got to spend some time on the crush pad while a fresh load of cabernet was being delivered and they were punching down the cap in one of their fermentation vats.
The Club member for the day card enabled us to taste their Pinot Noir collection after the normal tasting was complete. The pourer popped open a new bottle of $49 Russian River Valley Pinot, took one sip, and set the bottle aside saying it was bad. I'm pretty new to the whole wine tasting game, so thought perhaps this was all part of the "show." He opened a second bottle, tasted it and declared it fit for human consumption.
And yes, it was exceptionally smooth. I asked the taster if I could try a sip from the "bad" bottle for training purposes and he graciously poured me a taste, which enabled me to personally sample what a bad bottle might taste like, and even my uninitiated and inexperienced palate could clearly taste that the bottle was "off." So, the experience was worth it just for the ability to do a side-by-side comparison.
Ended up buying a mixed case of pinots which we will enjoy with friends later. The ride back to the Marriott was made in record time, but I think we burned up the brakes coming down the hill! A great afternoon... -
Review from Gabby M.
San Mateo, CA
8/5/2011
If your in the area for tasting, by all means go here. Today was my first visit, and on a friends recommendation we did a tour at 40 dollars per person. At first I will admit I was apprehensive because of the price, but it was so worth it. The tour was a lot of fun, the vineyards were so beautiful, and the tasting was a blast.
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Review from Amanda Sunshine R.
Sonoma, CA
6/3/2011
In Sonoma County alone, there are hundreds of wineries. It's hard to pick favorites with so many to choose from but there are a few at the top of my list. One of my ultimate favorites is Benziger Family winery in Glen Ellen.
My sweetheart, Wine Country Guy, and I stopped in for a tasting the other day and we were treated with red carpet style by our fabulous host, Greg. The main tasting bar was packed, but he ushered us into the Estate Room for a private tasting.
We started with the 2009 Paradiso de Maria Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Mountain. This lovely and light sauv blanc is stainless steel tank fermented, showcasing the beautiful fruit and floral qualities. Essences of honey suckle and citrus lead to flavors of stone fruit and kiwi with a crisp clean finish.
If you're on the fence about oaky chardonnays, I highly recommend the 2009 Signaterra Carneros Chardonnay. This chardonnay displays the characteristics of the Carneros region with rich texture, bold granny smith apple flavors and very delicate hints of oak and vanilla on the finish.
The 2008 De Coelo Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a classic Burgundy style wine that represents the softness of the coastal fog that blankets the vineyards. This beautifully crafted pinot is bright with fruit, silky on the palate with luscious minerality and earthy notes on the finish.
A personal favorite of mine is the 2006 Oonapais Bordeaux Blend. Oonapais is the Miwok Indian name for Sonoma Mountain. This intense red has beautiful structure with layers of rich dark fruit, coffee and sweet tobacco. The finish is long and earthy. Wine Country Guy and I had to take a bottle home to enjoy later.
The 2007 Obsidian Estate Blend is big and chewy with complex flavors of black currant, spice and toasted oak. This incredible red mirrors the land and displays superb winemaking.
Hands down, Benziger's best in my opinion is the 2007 Tribute Bordeaux Blend made from their estate grapes on Sonoma Mountain. Our host, Greg, calls it liquid velvet and I (almost) couldn't describe it better than that! This intensely layered wine boasts of blackberry aromas with flavors of dark chocolate and cassis with a sweet earthy finish. This wine represents the rich layers of soil in which the grapes were grown and careful crafting.
Benziger Family Winery is located at 1883 London Ranch Road in Glen Ellen, California. I highly recommend the tram tours of the vineyard property as well as the wine cave tours. It's an unforgettable wine country experience. For more information go to http://www.benziger.com.
Until next time, Cheers!
~WCG -
Review from Chitown D.
Chicago, IL
5/17/2011
We LOVE Benziger wine! Some of our family members wanted to check out a winery while visiting from Charlotte. We chose the Benziger vineyards and really enjoyed the tour, which was only $15 a person. We had our nephews with us, who are 8 and 11, and they enjoyed it too.
We were on a slightly tight schedule, but I could have stayed there all day. The guide was very knowledgeable and the grounds are stunning. We learned a few new things and it was a great addition to our day. I learned how truly green they are, which makes me even happier to indulge in their delicious product! -
Review from J N.
San Francisco, CA
7/28/2011
In my mind, a day in Sonoma winetasting, meeting lovely locals, and stumbling upon new and exciting wineries can't possibly warrant a less than 5-star rating.
But after a day trip to Sonoma with coworkers, ending at Benziger, my 5-star delight diminished. And now there were 2 ....
Yes, 2 stars my friends. Grumpy old men in the tasting room. Mediocre wine. Sarcasm and overall rudeness. While the grounds are lovely, the service hangs a dark cloud above them. It's disappointing I left this winery with a bad taste in my mouth --- from the wine too, but mostly the folks who work there. I think a Benziger family meeting is much needed. -
Review from Anh D.
3/12/2011
Great winery!
It feels like a family place, and even though it is not as grandiose as Chateau St. Jean or Ledson, this is a fantastic winery to visit.
The main reason why I love this place is the tram tour, which only costs $15/person.
The tour takes you through the vineyard, the yard with the machines (where grapes are de-stemmed, peeled, and smashed), the cave, and the tasting room. You get to see the whole process the grapes go through from the vine to the bottle to become wine.
What's also awesome is that Benziger is biodynamic, so no chemicals in the way they grow, harvest, and plant their grapes. They also treat the operation as a farm complete with sheep and cattle.
The tram tour for $15 also affords you to taste 4 wines (2 pre-set special wines and 2 from a menu in the tasting room/gift shop) and a discount to purchase wines in the store! Awesome!
Our tour guide, Mike, and the wine steward who helped us in the tasting room were both very charming, sweet, and personable.
It's a nice experience for people who love wine and also for people who don't imbibe, because they get to see something really cool.
We're looking forward to taking my in-laws here. I think they'll really like it. -
Review from Jaime Patricio M.
San Francisco, CA
11/30/2010
A very interesting winery and the many buildings you find along the way to the tasting room. A beautiful landscape--you descend past several building and landmarks and are surrounded by either vineyard or other landscape. I like autumn or winter to visit--the light quality and angle of sun against the trees make for an evocative sense.
Benziger makes their mark in the vineyard ground by biodynamic and organic practices. They produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah. Spendid tasting room staff--next time I need to visit the reserve tasting bar. A great experience and if you have time visit their sister winery--Imagery Estate. -
Review from Anna P.
Oakland, CA
1/25/2011
AMAZING TRAM TOUR! Beautiful vineyard. See their winemaking equipment up close, smell the grapes, and tour their underground cave. Came when it was raining and still had a blast. Learn all about the wine making process! Free tasting at the end of the tour.
My boyfriend became a member of their wine club and now we get free tastings at their sister winery, Imagery, too. -
Review from Shams N.
Chicago, IL
11/14/2011
Well the tour is ok, but the wine falls flat. The tasting room is just a huge tourist trap gift shop. Their high end label is not very good. Any winery whose regular label is low end, but has a high end version should be visited with caution. It should be the other way around. Overall boring wine without focus, however the tour has good info on bio-dynamic farming (even though their regular label does not use bio dynamic grapes).
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Review from Caryn B.
Alamo, CA
2/15/2011
After visiting two lovely wineries in St. Helena, my friends and I stopped by here prior to our picnic lunch at Sugarloaf. My friends had nothing but good things to say about the winery at first.
Upon going inside, we waited patiently for a free spot to open at the tasting area. We also brought our wine journals in to notate our thoughts of each wine. At any rate, as we went through the five wines on their menu, the wine specialist could not help but show his disdain. When I was starting to make my first notes in my journal, he asked with sarcasm whether we were going to use smiley or frowney faces to display our likes and dislikes. As he poured the wine, his disinterest and sarcasm only grew, that when he got to their reserve wine, and he noticed the bottle was empty, he said he needed to open a new one and didn't return. We waited for fifteen minutes. Finally a new person came who wasn't much better. He opened the bottle and only poured two glasses while three of us had paid for the tasting and then looked appraisingly at my third friend and asked, "You want one too?"
Someone had taken my third friends glass away and the man acted as if this was my friends fault somehow. Anyway, after we tasted it, I really loved the reserve wine and would have bought a few bottles but the person assisting us had dissapeared to chat leisurely with a party down the way. When he finally returned and asked what we thought of the wine, I told him I liked the wine but the customer service was unimpressive. He didn't really apologize. Even after this, they had taken my $20.00, he neglected to give me change and only when I insisted upon it, did he give me the $10.00 in change back.
We left, disgusted, filled with bad feeling. We had dressed appropriately and have gone wine tasting a great deal. I have belonged to wine clubs in the area. This winery doesn't deserve any further business the way they treat their new customers. -
Review from Devin D.
Oakland, CA
2/4/2011
I had my first bad experience at Benziger the weekend after my birthday. So why five stars?
One name, two words: Sil Coccia.
As it turns out, I'm a wine club member with Imagery, Benziger's sister winery. I happened to receive a 'customer satisfaction' survey shortly after my negative experience. I mentioned said experience in my survey.
The next day, I received a concerned call from Sil who asked for details (never prying), apologized profusely (genuinely) and assured me it wouldn't happen again.
Speaking with him made my less-than-perfect experience OK. But even better: three days later a very nice bottle of wine, signed by Joe Benziger (!) showed up via UPS at my door, unannounced.
This is the reason (along with their remarkably good wine) that Benziger has done so well, for so long.
What could have been a bitter experience (pun slightly intended) turned into the exact opposite.
Great wine, great people. Highly recommended.
