New - Pinot Noir Tasting Experience at Benziger

Looking for a new wine country experience to take in this summer? If you're traveling to Sonoma, consider Benziger's new Pinot Noir tasting.

It's much harder to grow Pinot Noir organically or Biodynamically - or so say most of the producers in the Pinot heartland of Anderson Valley, where only two vineyards are certified - Handley Cellars' organic estate and Filigreen Farm's Biodynamic vines. (In Oregon, 9 producers have certified Biodynamic vineyards; three more prestigious producers have organic vineyards.) 

In the Sonoma Coast AVA, the newest region making acclaimed California Pinots, there are precious few certified vineyards growing Chardonnay or Pinot Noir - let alone, making great wine from them. To find the others, check out the Organically Sonoma: Wine Finder app. (App link here for Apple and link here for Android.)

But in western Sonoma, in the Sonoma Coast AVA, Benziger's producing three Pinot Noirs with growing reputations from its Terra Neuma vineyard.

Now, the winery is showcasing its Burgundian wines in a new Pinot Noir experience, which includes only organically or Biodynamically grown Chardonnays and Pinots. 

For $40, experience a private tasting with these featured wines:

• Signaterra, West Rows Chardonnay (Made with Organic Grapes)
• Signaterra, Bella Luna Pinot Noir (Biodynamic Wine)
• de Coelo, Pinot Noir - Arbora Sacra (Biodynamic Wine)
• de Coelo, Pinot Noir - Quintus (Biodynamic Wine)
• de Coelo, Pinot Noir - Terra Neuma (Biodynamic Wine)

Several of the 2011 and 2010 de Coelo Pinots ($75) have received ratings of 90-91 pts. from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar. The 2011 Quintus won a Double Gold medal in the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Biodynamic Wines are the only wine classification that tells you the wine was made using only native yeast and no additives were added - a high bar indeed. It's one that few wines in the U.S. measure up to. In fact, there are only 18 Pinot Noirs in the U.S. that meet this standard. 

Find out how the terroir of the impressive de Coelo (pronounced day SHAY lo) site, near Freestone, actually tastes on this by- appointment experience.