The 2020 Vintage in Paso Robles

2020 was a year of significant challenges, testing even the strongest among us. The latter half of the year, particularly the harvest season, faced hurdles with the wildfires that swept across California in August and September. However, with great struggle comes great rewards. Despite these difficulties, the 2020 vintage from BENOM Wines has emerged as a remarkable collection, showcasing exceptional quality. Here is more about the factors that influenced the 2020 vintage in Paso Robles.

Rows of grape vines in golden hour sunlight
BENOM winemakers sorting through grapes during harvest

From the end of 2019 into the early months of 2020, we experienced an average amount of rainfall, accumulating to 20 inches on the West side by early spring. Bud break commenced in early April under normal temperatures and weather conditions, setting the stage for a promising growing season.

 

For the majority of the growing season, our conditions were favorable with fair rainfall and temperatures. However, August brought the ravenous California fires and subsequent heat waves that persisted from late August through mid-October. These extreme conditions presented numerous challenges for our vines. Smoke taint became a significant concern, but after extensive testing, we were relieved to find that our fruit was largely unaffected.

 

Despite the adversities, the intense heat waves led to lower yields this vintage, averaging under two tons per acre. Nevertheless, the quality of the fruit was exceptional, making the 2020 vintage a testament to the resilience and dedication of our team.

Wine grapes on a conveyer belt
Grapes being picked and sorted at harvest

Harvest began at the end of August with our Grenache for L’Essor and Sauvignon Blanc for Contrast and came to a close with Mourvèdre from G2 in the third week of October.

 

The 2020 vintage marked a significant milestone for us as it was the first year we integrated optical sorting into our process. This advanced technology enabled us to meticulously select only the finest grapes, ensuring that we produced some of the most exceptional wines in BENOM's history. Combined with our method of gentle extraction, the results have been truly remarkable, making the 2020 vintage one of our best yet.

 

We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to share these wines with you. Your support has been invaluable as we navigated the challenges of the 2020 vintage, always keeping our focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. Cheers to overcoming the challenge of the 2020 vintage in Paso Robles!

Vintage Stories