Winemakers Mike Sullivan and Adolfo Hernandez tap into their Cabernet Sauvignon expertise honed at Chappellet, Eisele Vineyard, and other top producers
Benovia Winery’s 2018 Cooley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon will debut during a virtual tasting with the winemakers and sommelier Amanda McCrossin on June 15 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (May 26, 2021) – Today Benovia Winery, a small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley – renowned for critically-acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – releases Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time ever. In this release the winemaking team’s extensive knowledge in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon is complemented by unparalleled fruit from the Napa Valley’s prestigious Oakville AVA, and from the esteemed Cooley Vineyard in Northern Sonoma.
“We’re making Cabernet Sauvignon because we love the traditional style, created with minimal intervention,” said Benovia co-founder Joe Anderson, in describing the winery’s portfolio expansion. “Earlier in their careers, our winemakers cut their teeth making Cabernet Sauvignon and they have produced extraordinary wines. As talented as they are with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it’s natural that they would want to deepen Benovia’s offerings by tapping into their expertise with Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“As a winemaker, adding different varietals to a winery’s portfolio is like a big league pitcher fine-tuning a new pitch,” added Benovia’s associate winemaker, Adolfo Hernandez. “It makes you more versatile, and sharpens your arsenal.”
Almost 20 years ago, Benovia Winery began with passion – fueled by discovery, experimentation, precision, and creativity. With ideals aligned, winemaker and co-owner Mike Sullivan began his Benovia journey after making wine at iconic Cabernet Sauvignon producers including Chappellet. Associate winemaker Adolfo Hernandez also played a key role in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon at Checkerboard Vineyards on Diamond Mountain, and at Eisele Vineyard under both Araujo Estate and Chateau Latour before becoming a vital part of the winemaking team at Benovia. Together, Sullivan and Hernandez have created elegant, supple Cabernet Sauvignons for Benovia. These spectacular, delicious wines are gently extracted and have firmer tannins. They will age gracefully for the next 10 to 15 years.
“These Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Cooley Vineyard and Oakville are true to their varietal character with good acidity,” said Benovia winemaker and co-owner Mike Sullivan. “They are leaner, more nuanced and complex.”
- 2018 Cooley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $100 per bottle – The Cooley family has been in California for six generations and has earned a reputation among elite winemakers for the high caliber of its fruit. After years of friendship with the Cooley family, the Benovia team was able to secure the highly sought-after Cooley Vineyard fruit. Located above Lake Sonoma, in Northern Sonoma County, Cooley Vineyard features steep terrain, elevation ranges from 900-2,100 feet and relatively cool temperatures from the marine influences with the ocean just 12 miles away. As a result of the ideal location, the fruit ripens slowly and has lower alcohol creating the foundation for food-friendly wine. Only 180 cases were produced.
- 2018 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, $125 per bottle – Sourcing from only the finest vineyards, Benovia Winery procured world-class fruit from the Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. Known as the birthplace of numerous cult Cabernet Sauvignons, Oakville is a viticultural treasure in the heart of the Napa Valley. Benovia Winery produced just 240 cases of the Oakville wine.
To be among the first to savor these new Cabernet Sauvignons from Benovia Winery, all wine enthusiasts are welcome to join sommelier Amanda McCrossin, winemaker Mike Sullivan, and associate winemaker Adolfo Hernandez for a virtual tasting on June 15th at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. To register for the tasting, please visit www.benoviawinery.com/cabernet
These Cabernet Sauvignons join the ranks of Benovia’s limited production, critically-acclaimed wines. Benovia has crafted some of the most elusive wines from the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast that are prized acquisitions for collectors of balanced and expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. To purchase their existing portfolio of wines and new releases, please visit benoviawinery.com.
Photos of Benovia Winery, co-founders Joe Anderson and Mary Dewane, winemaker/co-owner Mike Sullivan, associate winemaker Adolfo Hernandez, sommelier Amanda McCrossin, and Benovia’s new Cabernet Sauvignon are available here.
About Benovia Winery
Benovia Winery is a special, small production, family-owned winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley that specializes in sustainably farmed, single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded by husband and wife team Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson, Benovia was named after Mary and Joe’s fathers, Ben Dewane and Novian Anderson. Benovia owns and farms three distinctly different vineyards so as to present several nuanced wines in its portfolio. The wines are allocated directly to customers and distributed to select restaurants across the country. Benovia can be found online at www.benoviawinery.com, and on social media @benoviawinery.
