- Bennett valley is nestled between three mountainous
peaks; Taylor mountain too the west. Sonoma Mountain to the
south, and what are known today as Bennett Peak and Bennett
ridge to the east. For countless years ash accumulated on
the valley floor from the volcanic peaks making the land in
Bennett Valley a perfect environment for growing world class
wine grapes.
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- The climate of Bennett Valley is considered a cool
climate-growing zone with greater marine influence due
to the proximity of the Crane Canyon/Grange Road wind
gap. The result is we get quite a bit of fog in the
early morning that greatly contributes to ideal grape
growing conditions.
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- Quality wine growing has a long history in the valley
dating back to the mid 1800's. In 1862 a man named Isaac De
Turk grew grapes on land he acquired from James N. Bennett
and named his winery Belle Mount.
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- The appellation consists of only 650 currently planted
acres making Bennett Valley one of the smaller appellations
in California. The growers have a passionate commitment to
quality over quantity that reflects itself in the wines
being made from our grapes.
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- The grapes from Bennett valley can be found in some of
the finest wines produced in California. Matanzas Creek is
one of the early wineries to settle in our valley and their
wines have won awards worldwide.
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- The valley itself is one of the most peaceful, serene
and unspoiled of all wine growing regions. Travel guides to
describe our valley commonly use words such as "bucolic and
pastoral". The people of the valley have a great respect for
this treasure and work on protecting its character and feel.
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