2009 Benovia Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir

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.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.