N.V. Bennett Lane Winery Reserve Blanc de Noirs

Bennett Lane Winery is an homage to the owners’ enthusiasm for Italy and traditional winemaking. After Randy and Lisa Lynch traveled through Italy some years ago they decided to grow their own grapes In Napa Valley. They hired Rob Hunter as consulting winemaker and today make wines with names that reflect their interest in the history of Italy and its wine. Their wines are often named after the various gods of Ancient Roman mythology, such as Athena and Bacchus. The wines often earn ratings in the 90s from reviewers.

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.