The last grapes of the 2009 harvest season rolled into the winery today from our estate Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard surrounding the winery.  As all of our wines are fermenting in the cellar, all of us are taking a deep breath and enjoying all of the fruits of our labor as we taste the magnificent wines that are being created this year.  The first few lots have been barelled down, and there is still alot of work to be done.  We will have a harvest wrap up from Rob Hunter soon, filling everyone in on all of the details for the 2009 vintage.  Stay tuned for more news.......

Most visitors to Bennett Lane  that tour the cellar oooh and ahhh over all of the fantastic machinery that we have.  Presses from Italy, spectacular rotary drum fermenters and our small open top fermenters that are all jacketed for cooling are all some of our favorite tools to use in making some of the finest wine in the Napa Valley.  Mixed in the middle of the fermentation room this week we had a not so high tech piece of equipment, a small old fashioned basket press that uses good old elbow grease to keep it running.

After a long break this harvest season, more fruit has rolled in to Bennett Lane Winery.  We had a surprise early rainstorm hit before our fruit was ready.  We decided to wait it out since the flavors weren't there yet in our grapes, and the wait has paid off.  Our Syrah was harvested yesterday from Trio C Vineyard in Yountville.  This has turned out to be a spectacular spot for Syrah, and is our only source for this intrgeal part of our Maximus blend.  Who knows, if the flavors are right and the wine is amazing we may even have another varietal Syrah to bottle.

Harvest is finally here!  We celebrated this past weekend with our wineclub members as a few tons of Cabernet Sauvignon from Lewelling Vineyard in St Helena kicked off the season for Bennett Lane.  Things continued to roll along this week as we brought in all of our Chardonnay from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyard in Carneros.

Want the best place to stay informed on all of the latest news on harvest in the Napa Valley?  Coming soon at Bennett Lane, our harvest video blog.  We will bring you all of the latest updates from winemaker Rob Hunter, as well as near live footage of grapes as they come into the winery.   Since everyone can't make it to the winery for one of our fabulous harvest tours, we are bringing them home to you with our new video blogs.  Coming later this week........

Everyday in the tasting room at Bennett Lane we are asked by our customers why we make a blend?  Why not another Cabernet?  The Maximus Red Feasting Wine has become a flagship wine for us at the winery and one of the wines that we have become best known for.  Our goal each vintage with the Maximus is to make the best Napa Valley Cabernet based blend that we can that is ready to drink right away and goes perfectly with all of your favorite dishes, or on its own as the perfect wine for sipping.  So, the blend.......blending with several grape varietals has expanded the palate of flavors and aromas that we can bring together in the wine.  Why work with one grape when you can take the strengths of many and make the best wine possible. 

Another beautiful weekend in the Napa Valley!  Things sure seem to feel cooler than usual this summer.  Aside from a few heat spikes we have had our fair share of days in the upper 70s and lower 80s.  No complaining here, with just perfect growing conditions of nice sunshine and beautiful slow ripening.  We are just seeing the first signs of verasion in the vineyard this weekend, with some of our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes showing a hint of color on the berries.  Right now it looks like we are maybe 15% through verasion, and with the cool week ahead we may see a nice gradual color change this year.  It feels like we are a little behind last years schedule for harvest, but a few warm days could change that in a heartbeat.

We had two very exciting visitors that joined us early this afternoon to take in the breathtaking views at Bennett Lane.  Guests on our back patio were greeted by not one, but two Red Tail Hawks diving around the vineyards and circling for food.  I tried to capture it with a photo, but wasn't quite quick enough getting in and out of the winery with the camera.  It was a spectacular sight, with the two birds flying majestically with the vinyards below and the Palisade Mountains framing the scene. 

Happy Fourth of July from everyone at Bennett Lane!  We will all be celebrating the big birthday for the USA with our favorite pairing, BBQ and Maximus.  Our Maximus Red Feasting Wine matches well with everything comin' off the grill this weekend.  There is something magical about that blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.  When it is paired with anything prepared on the grill, from burgers to ribs, the wines flavors literally explode out of the glass.  The wine is bursting with notes of raspberries, dark cherries and plums.   One of our favorite pairings are lamb burgers with the wine.  That hint of Syrah in the Maximus is just what lamb needs.  You will discover some of the subtle white pepper and plum notes that balance with the flavor or lamb.  If you have a favorite recipe for the Maximus this summer we would love to hear from you.  Email us today and we will share it on our site.  Still no plans for the weekend?  Come join us at the winery!  We are open all weekend and will have PERFECT weather on the patio for a picnic.

A big thank you to everyone that joined us at the track for the Bennett Lane Winery 200 this past weekend.  A fun time was had by all!  And what an exciting race.  A big welcome to all of our new fans as well.  Our wine garden on Turn 8 was a huge success, with all of our new Bennett Lane fans checking out our number 2 car we had on display and trying a glass of our Maximus.  Love at first sip!

For everyone that wasn't able to make it to the track, check out our photos from the event or come by the winery.  We have a showcar on display in the cellar.