This winery was our third stop of the day, and after visiting the other two wineries we were definitely in the need to stop, relax and maybe take some time before tasting new wines. We drove up London Ranch road, which also leads to the Jack London estate if you follow it long enough, turned into the small driveway and followed it up until we reached a small parking lot. The first thing we noticed upon reaching this winery is that unlike many of the other wineries, this one seems much more homey and comfortable. There was a small outdoor museum that we chose to walk through before walking to the tasting rooms that taught us more about how to graft vines, beneficial and harmful insects and the many stages of a vines life.
We then walked through a large overhead forest of twisted and knobby trees, past several peacocks in a cage and a house where most of the winery offices were located and finally ended up at the tasting room and gift shop where the knowledgeable staff waited to greet us. After trying a few wines, we found out that a tour of the vineyard was about to begin, so we quickly paid our $10.00 per person and ran back up the hill to a tractor that pulls a large tram behind it. As our tour progressed, our guide told us about the family who owns the winery and their dedication to making completely organic wines by using beneficial insects and compost as well as the history of the vineyards and the process of making wine. After touring the vineyards, the wine presses, the crushers, and finally the manmade caves where the barrels are stored, we headed back to the gift shop. Included in the price of the tour is a tasting of a few of the wines and a very nice wine glass with the name of the winery etched in it.
This time since we weren’t as rushed we took our time and sampled a few more of the wines, explored the gift shop which sells everything from organic honey to wine coolers and talked to more of the very friendly staff. My husband and I both found that at this winery the staff was exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable which made this visit extremely enjoyable. The wines produced by Benziger are consistently excellent which also made a great impression upon us. Overall this was a great place to spend a sunny afternoon and I will certainly return again if I am in the area.
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