2021 Benovia La Pommeraie Chardonnay

Benovia was founded in 2005 when Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane decided to leave their careers in health care and purchase a vineyard near Healdsburg. The couple found a business partner in Mike Sullivan, a winemaker who now is co-owner, general manager and winemaker. Benovia owns 71 acres of vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Sonoma County AVAs. The estate makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Grenache, and the wine is generally available only through the estate’s mailing list.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.