EDUCATION

As a student of life and the land, Mike Benziger immediately saw the potential of the Sonoma Mountain vineyard property that would become Benziger Family winery, when he discovered it more than two decades ago. He also knew he had a great deal to learn about the land, so rich in geographic diversity.

The diversity of growing conditions on the Sonoma Mountain ranch allows us to micro-farm our vineyard for specific flavors. In 1985, we trademarked our winegrowing practice of farming and vinifying vineyard blocks based on exposures, elevations, soil profiles, rootstocks and clones. We call it "Farming for Flavors™." Over the years, the Benziger vineyard has become a viticultural classroom for our network of growers.
Educating consumers and encouraging them to trust their own palates are equally important to the Benziger clan. The tasting room at Benziger Family Winery in Sonoma is a fun and stimulating classroom to those who visit it each year.

The Basics
For a crash course in wine label lingo and winegrowing basics, see these articles:

• What's in a Label?
  
• The Grape Vine and Its Growing Cycle