Experience a sense of place with the expression of our Russian River Valley and Sonoma County wine. Our team is an extension of an extraordinary family; one that eats, drinks, and breathes a lifelong passion for wine. That passion is distinct in every bottle of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel we produce from the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Sonoma Mountain.
We showcase each of our vineyard sites in our single-vineyard wines, sharing the expression each plot has to offer. Our fathers, Benjamin Dewane and Novian Anderson, taught us to be the best at what we do, and always produce something we can be proud of. Nothing else will suffice, period. Please join us at the winery for our Harvest Social - where you and your wine-loving friend.
We showcase each of our vineyard sites in our single-vineyard wines, sharing the expression each plot has to offer. Our fathers, Benjamin Dewane and Novian Anderson, taught us to be the best at what we do, and always produce something we can be proud of. Nothing else will suffice, period. Please join us at the winery for our Harvest Social - where you and your wine-loving friend.
Services
We aim for nuanced aromatics, alluring texture and age-worthiness in our wines. We harvest by night to prevent oxidation and ensure firm fruit that's vibrant with color and acidity. Winemaker and Co-owner Mike Sullivan tailors the winemaking process to the character of each lot of grapes, having tasted the fruit as it ripens, and determines how he'll utilize certain vinification techniques to achieve the best expression of each vineyard site.
These Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Cooley Vineyard and Oakville are true to their varietal character. They are leaner, more nuanced, and complex. Our winemaking heritage encompasses the art of making Cabernet Sauvignon with both winemaker Mike Sullivan and associate winemaker Adolfo Hernandez beginning their winemaking career in Cabernet Sauvignon.
This holiday season, let us help curate the perfect gift and tasting experience for your team or clients. Share an educational and virtual wine tasting of the Russian River Valley with your colleagues during happy hour! One of our wine educators will lead the team in a guided tasting of 2-4 of our wines with maps, tasting notes, and tips on wine tasting and the Russian River region.
For a Benovian, labor is life, and life is fulfilling. Winemaker and co-owner Mike Sullivan grew up tending his family's vines on Sonoma Mountain. Proprietors Mary Dewane and Joe Anderson were both raised on hard work by their fathers, Ben Dewane and Novian Anderson. Hard work brings its own rewards, they would say.
Morning fog from the chilly Pacific Ocean encases our vineyards, injecting our grapes in the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast with vibrant acidity. By sunset, we're bathed in a warm golden glow that slowly ripens fragrant, flavorful fruit. Each of our wines is an expression of a place that is deeply meaningful to us.
Reviews (25)
Jeff M.
Jan 18, 2022
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This was our second visit to Benovia Winery. The winery is tucked back from the road and surrounded by vineyards. The tasting room is very nice, relaxed setting, and the deck provides views of the vines and mountains in the backdrop. Benovia is best known for their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. These wines are well made, balanced with good structure. Our host for the day was David Hewitt. David has been in the wine industry for 20+ years. He is a walking encycopedia when it comes to wine and really knows his Pinots. We spent the better part of 2 hours enjoying many of the wineries portfolio of wines
Raj Ajrawat
Oct 24, 2021
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An excellent winery up near Healdsburg. They have a fairly small amount of production (only a few thousand cases a year) but their Pinot Noir is excellent. Tasting room overlooks rolling vineyard hills and you can see Mount St. Helena off in the distance. Ask for David when you’re there and he will ensure you have a great tasting experience. Typically their Pinot Noir is $55-85/bottle. Their tasting room has an upstairs area that can accommodate large parties but definitely call ahead.
Sam Clayton
Oct 04, 2021
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Based on our experience, we wouldn’t go higher than a three due to service. The winery was beautiful and the room was set up nicely. We were a bit rushed as they started serving us about 10 minutes after our appointment time and we had another appointment. We mentioned this but it didn’t seem to move things along. In the server’s defense, they likely did not have adequate staff, like many other places, and there was a walk in couple that was served during our tasting. We had to get going and hurriedly ordered our wine. Ultimately, when we got home we did not get the chardonnay we ordered
Kim Van Buren
Sep 30, 2021
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This was a fantastic experience. David was truly a gem. We consider ourselves experienced wine people and we got a great education on the area and the weather effects on grapes. Joined the wine club - my first ever. That is how much we loved the wine. We were not rushed and truly got to enjoy the wines. We did go on a Monday and skipped the crowded weekends. Would go back again!!
Mark P.
Jun 02, 2021
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Nat W.
May 01, 2021
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Chelsea Campbell
Jan 13, 2021
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We had a great experience sitting on the patio and tasting lovely pinots. James, our host, was delightful and even recommended local restaurants to try out. It was a beautiful spot surrounded by vineyards. They told us about all of their sustainability efforts which is important to me. I would definitely recommend this family-owned/run winery!
Laura S.
Dec 07, 2020
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Wow - one of the best wineries in Santa Rosa. Some of the best pinot noirs in the region and the absolute best service you will find. Very personal experience with extremely knowledgable staff. My wife and I have become big wine lovers while living out in the Bay Area and to start David (tasting room manager) alone is a huge reason to come here. He is absolutely incredible, loves getting to know all our guests and genuinely cares about his customers. Not to mention has a tremendous wine knowledge. This is one of those places you want to bring guests to because they will be so entertained and impressed
Lisa Knox
Dec 03, 2020
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Kristie Fisher
Jan 24, 2020
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Paula Medders
Nov 18, 2019
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Make sure you call the winery when you order!! They will not provide an estimated delivery date OR communicate a weather hold for your area. We purchased 2 bottles of Liberation for the 75th.. tried emailing ... received no response .. only when I called did I learn the winery had no intent to ship the product until NOVEMBER... but they were happy to charge me an additional 35$ to ship within the week. My proposal would be for the winery to be far more transparent and responsive. Communicating before or at time of purchase any holds and what those holds actually mean in terms of delivery expectations
Tina O.
Nov 18, 2019
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Lovely tasting room, lovely views, lovely wines!
I went here the other day with some wine club members for an event that included 3 different kinds of oysters supplied by Drake's Bay Oysters as well as some shrimp.
We were treated to tastes of several lovely Benovia wines: Blanc de Noir Sparkling, La Pommmeraie Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Martaella Estate Pinot Noir and Sonoma County Zinfandel. I must say I liked them all but especially the Martaella Pinot Noir - yum.
The event was kept at a small attendance so it was intimate, quiet and elegant.
I highly recommend you visit
I went here the other day with some wine club members for an event that included 3 different kinds of oysters supplied by Drake's Bay Oysters as well as some shrimp.
We were treated to tastes of several lovely Benovia wines: Blanc de Noir Sparkling, La Pommmeraie Chardonnay, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Martaella Estate Pinot Noir and Sonoma County Zinfandel. I must say I liked them all but especially the Martaella Pinot Noir - yum.
The event was kept at a small attendance so it was intimate, quiet and elegant.
I highly recommend you visit
Christine A.
Jul 28, 2019
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This review is for DAVID! He was amazing... We booked a sit down tasting for me, my fiancé, and his mom on a Tuesday about a month or so ago and it was such a fun experience! David was so personable and was able to give us so much information about the wines and Benovia. After he poured for us he'd give us our privacy too and even let us try a couple wines not on the list. My favorite was definitely a Rose we had (that we ended up buying omg so good)...This was the first winery we went to and the best of the three we ended up going to in Sonoma! Thanks so much, David!!
Anna M.
May 13, 2019
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We visited Benovia for the second time this last weekend and we were just as pleased as we were the first time! I'm so glad we went back because the wine and our tasting host, David, were just as great as we remembered! We love all their wines (and always buy too much when we go) but we enjoy drinking them throughout the year until we can get back down there. It's a beautiful property, a little bit off the main road but worth the drive for sure! It's appointment only but don't let that intimidate you because both times we've been able to get right in and they were very
James B.
Apr 30, 2019
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This place is outstanding and one of my all time favorite wineries. I've been in the industry for about 15+ years and this is one of my go to wineries. Their location reminds me of a wine-version of field of dreams, the wine is exceptional without the over the top prices and the people that work there are stellar. Try the Rosé!
Mary B.
Dec 13, 2018
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Karen S.
Sep 28, 2018
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How do you convince the California Highway Patrol that my wine tasting appointment is an emergency and to let me through the barricade? This was my dilemma when visiting Benovia. We headed there with plenty of time to spare only to run into a road race with all of the roads to the winery closed off. Just after I had finally found a CHP officer that bought my story and moved the barricade, David called to apologize for the problems with the road race and suggestions on alternate ways to get there.
Once we finally got to the winery, David was a delight. I'll admit I have never been
Once we finally got to the winery, David was a delight. I'll admit I have never been
Gene W.
Aug 28, 2018
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There is a term used by the locals in Sonoma called the Trifecta Of the Russian River Valley. It means visiting Paul Hobbs, Lynmar and the little known Benovia Winery. Hers is my take on the trifecta as it relates to Benovia. For starters you are sometimes greeted by Mr. David Hewitt, a man who has a great legacy outside of wine but you will have to visit to get him to explain. That is not the purpose of this review. Tucked Waaay down the road off Guerenville rd., is a connector road called Fulton Rd. Nice spot, Benovia sits in Santa Rosa and very peaceful. Sommelier David (not really but he knows
Kelly K.
Jul 25, 2018
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Sarah V.
Jun 07, 2018
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Beth A.
May 31, 2018
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Barb Farb
Sep 26, 2017
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We had a wonderful wine tasting experience, education about the winery and the wine all taken care of by Michael - with the upside down name tag on, at a cozy house in the middle of the vineyard. Comparing 2 chardonnays, then 2 pinots side by side, then 2 more pinots gave us a really good opportunity to make comparisons. Delicious wine, very informative, not snobby. We enjoyed our time there thanks to the recommendation by Woody’s Wine Tours in Santa Rosa.
Todd Engle
Jul 15, 2017
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Suzanne W.
Apr 25, 2015
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We came here with a few wine judges during barrel tasting. They are not usually open without reservations so we were happy to get to check them out.
We tried a number of wonderful pinots then bought a bottle and had a picnic in their small picnic area. (room for one or maybe two small groups to share).
The view was lovely and so were the wines. We will definitely come back.
We tried a number of wonderful pinots then bought a bottle and had a picnic in their small picnic area. (room for one or maybe two small groups to share).
The view was lovely and so were the wines. We will definitely come back.
Eric F.
May 12, 2013
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Outstanding Pinot Noirs! Tastings at Benovia are by appointment only and it was a piece of cake making arrangements. After driving through what looked like acres upon acres of grape vines, my friends and I were met by Bob Cooley who guided us through our tasting.
And what a tasting it was. Having been in the business for over 30 years, Bob most assuredly knew his stuff and had much to say about each wine starting from a Chardonnay and Rose of Pinot Noir to whet our palates to a mix of blended and single vineyard Pinots to a delicious Zinfandel to round out the lineup. Just as importantly though
And what a tasting it was. Having been in the business for over 30 years, Bob most assuredly knew his stuff and had much to say about each wine starting from a Chardonnay and Rose of Pinot Noir to whet our palates to a mix of blended and single vineyard Pinots to a delicious Zinfandel to round out the lineup. Just as importantly though
