BENMARL WINERY

There seems to be a theme of “winemaker” made wines that has dominated the American wine scene in recent years. New World winemakers are gaining celebrity status, crafting exquisite wines that not only showcase their own style, but also reflect trends in the market. That being said, there has been a shift away from terroir-driven wines. New World wines are, in certain ways, losing their sense of place.

At Benmarl Winery, the winemaking process has been increasingly focused not only on varietal characteristics, but on this idea of expressing terroir. They strive to make not only great wines, but great wines that reflect where they are from.

“The decisions that we make in the cellar are very important,” says winemaker and GM of Benmarl, “But not as important as the quality and consistency of the fruit that we grow and purchase.”

In recent years the Spaccarelli family has been refurbishing their existing vineyards and planting new ones. Investment in new temperature-controlled tanks, French and American Barrels, and a state-of-the-art bottling line, has added to their focus on quality and consistency.

The whites at Benmarl are generally bottled young, capturing their youthful fruit and often times minerally characteristics. The Chardonnay component of their Slate Hill White is the only white that sees oak. The reds are all carefully aged in French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels, striving to strike balance between flavor, aroma, and texture.

Bottled every year in May, everyone impatiently awaits our award winning Baco Noir. A light to medium bodied wine with the classic peppery red cherry fruit that only Baco can offer. Benmarl has been producing Baco Noir for fifty years.

Light to medium bodied, floral with a slight mandarin orange and citrus flavor. Pale yellow with fresh acidity. An attractive white to enjoy on the hazy, lazy days of summer. Bring this chilled wine to the beach and while away the hours.

Earthy with notes of raspberry and cherry. Lightly oaked with a spicy finish of black pepper and vanilla.