Summer Newsletter 2024
July 11, 2024
Welcome to our quarterly newsletter with the latest updates on the winery, tasting room, vineyards, and estate.
Summer is in full swing in Paso Robles, bringing consistent heat and sunshine. The BENOM team has been keeping busy in the tasting room and beyond. From planting our estate in York Mountain in late June to upcoming release parties and celebrations in August, here is what we've been up to and what we have planned this summer.
Planting the Estate
The York Mountain estate is officially planted with rootstock! Starting on June 28th, the production team spent the week planting 22 acres with rootstock. We used four types of rootstock: 3309, 110, 420, 5bb, depending on the soil type. This will develop for a year and then we will be grafting with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, and whites.
Starting with rootstock allows us to create a strong root structure that is adaptable to the Paso Robles climate and soil. After we graft on top of the rootstock, the vines will need to grow for at least three years until we have viable fruit. With the winemaking and aging process, we expect to taste the first BENOM Estate wine in at least six years. However, we plan to start construction on a BENOM winery and tasting room on the estate within the next three years.
Summer Events
The summer season is here and it is time to celebrate! In the first week of August, we will officially be releasing and pouring the 2022 Fall Release wines at our Fall Member Appreciation Party.
This member-exclusive event is the perfect opportunity to experience our Fall Release wines: Origin, Les Deux Frères, Lapsus, and Le Vingt. Each wine will be expertly paired with a bite food pairing by Chef Jeffery Scott. We are thrilled to have Chef Jeffery be a part of the event since he created the first-ever BENOM food pairings at our first dinner.
Join us on Friday, August 2nd, or Saturday, August 3rd to chat with Arnaud and the team, meet fellow BENOM members, and drink great wine. Tickets for this event and other upcoming events can be found here. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Tasting Room Updates
Throughout the month of July, we will be previewing our 2022 vintage. We invite you to visit us for a tasting and experience the new vintage.
One of our new releases, the 2022 Les Deux Frères, features a new blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Les Deux Frères, or "The Two Brothers" in French, showcases the brother's passion for Rhône and Bordeaux varietals. By shifting from Tempranillo to Syrah, this wine has come to represent the brothers, Arnaud and Guillaume, and their upbringing in France.
Our excitement extends beyond the wine itself. In June, we welcomed a new member to our team, Robin, whose enthusiasm and energy have already made a positive impact. Join us in the tasting room to meet Robin and get to know the rest of the BENOM team.
We look forward to celebrating the summer with you, sharing our latest vintage, and creating unforgettable moments together!
In the Vineyard
There is a calm before the storm as we prepare for harvest in the vineyards. While we are focused on allowing the vines to grow and develop, the production team will be fully engaged with harvest preparations by the end of August.
In April, we received a late frost, which set the vines back compared to a typical year. However, as summer arrived and temperatures rose, the vines responded with vigorous growth. By June, they started flowering, and a two-day heat wave that we received in mid-June allowed them to not only catch up but surpass the growth stage reached in 2023.
Currently, we are nearing the end of an 11-day heat wave that began July 1st. Temperatures have reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more each day with the hottest day being Saturday, July 7th with a high of 113. This early heat wave may cause harvest to come earlier this year, depending on the weather we receive for the rest of the summer.
We are now beginning to see the fruit on the vines sizing up and the 2024 vintage is looking very promising. The next step will be veraison, which will begin at the end of the month. This crucial stage is when the grapes begin to ripen and change colors.
We are slightly ahead of track with the consistent heat we've been experiencing and are thrilled to see what harvest and this vintage have in store.
Summer Wine Pairings
Summer is bringing the heat, making it perfect weather for white and rosé. For a refreshing summer wine pairing, Contrast and L'Essor are the perfect wines.
L'Essor
For a perfect summer pairing, try our rosé with anchovy toast. The savory anchovies beautifully complement the crisp notes of our rosé. Ideal for a sunny afternoon or an elegant evening, this combination will elevate any occasion.
- Purchase your favorite bread from a local bakery. We prefer to use Pain de Campagne (Country Bread) or sourdough.
- Cut a thick slice of bread and toast to your liking.
- Spread a layer of olive oil, ideally sourced from your local farmer's market.
- Top it with anchovies, pour a glass of L'Essor, and enjoy!
Contrast
Our white wine is best paired with fresh oysters during the summertime, with a splash of lemon. The bright acidity of our white wine makes it an ideal warm-weather pairing. Try this white wine pairing on a sunny afternoon by the sea or a relaxed evening on the patio for the ultimate experience. Enjoy!
- Purchase fresh oysters. Our favorites are from Grassy Bay Oysters.
- Use your favorite toppings. We typically enjoy fresh lemon juice and cilantro vinaigrette.
- Pour a glass of Contrast and enjoy!
Aging Chart
Are you curious about the most optimal time to open your BENOM wine bottles? We have created an aging chart featuring all vintages of our wines. This chart was designed to help you decide the best time to open your wines depending on your tastes and preferences.
Whether you prefer the complexity of aged wine or the vibrancy of a wine in its youth, this chart offers insights into how each vintage evolves over time. Discover how BENOM wine matures over time, allowing you to make informed decisions about when to uncork your cherished bottles.
You can view the aging chart here.
We thank you for your support of our winery as we grow and hope to see you in the tasting room soon!