Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family’s dedication to making fine wines. From selling grapes to home winemakers during prohibition in order to keep the vineyards going, to growing a small base of business during the 1930s and 1940s, to the second generation joining their father. The eldest, John, became winemaker in 1948 followed by the younger son, Jim in 1955, as sales director. In 1963 the winery was officially purchased by John and Jim from their father, to growing the line of wines in the 1960s with vineyard expansion and diversification, to the boom time of the 1970s and 1980s along with many changes and additions to the sales base including national sales and export. The third generation came on board and vineyard replanting in the 1990s to the 21st century refining their focus to restaurants and casual dining/meet-up wine bars and independent wine shops across the nation. The transfer of ownership of the company to the third generation (now a 70% woman owned company with a woman winemaker!) to the second decade in the new millennium where the fourth generation is coming up the ranks…Nine decades strong, they are still family owned and operated. It all adds up to tradition, heritage and a family of wines you can enjoy with confidence.

Winemaker Notes

The 2018 vintage began with plenty of rain at the start of the season. A cool summer slowed the ripening of the grapes which gave the all-important hang time for better development of the fruit. Our Merlot shows ripe flavors, bright acidity and wonderful aromatics as a result.

The grapes were harvested on September 15 and crushed into temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and cold soaked for 48 hours. Daily pumpovers during the fermentation gives a substantial increase in flavor and color. The young wine was transferred to small American oak barrels to age for 12 months in order to develop smoothness and complexity, giving the wine a subtle backbone of oak components with a judicial use of new oak.

WHY WE LOVE IT

• Bench Vineyards is the source for this Merlot and comes from three blocks off of their estate vineyard located along Dry Creek Road from vineyards planted over 5 years beginning in 1990.
• Bench Vineyards, the name chosen for this wine, describes the natural terraces that flank Dry Creek Valley and rise gradually into the steep hills.
• Characterized by sloped topography and gravelly/rocky residual soils, the unique growing conditions combine to bring out the best qualities of this Merlot.

Varietal Composition: 100% Merlot

Elaboration: The grapes were crushed into temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and cold soaked for 48 hours. Daily pump-overs during the fermentation gives a substantial increase in flavor and color. The young wine was transferred to small American oak barrels to age for 12 months in order to develop smoothness and complexity, giving the wine a subtle backbone of oak components.

Tasting Notes: Aromas are rich and enticing with hints of strawberry, sage and baking spices. Flavors of red cherry, plum and notes of freshly ground black pepper are showcased along with touch of vanilla and toasty oak. Medium bodied with rounded tannins follow through to a spiced finish. A beautifully balanced wine.

Specs