BENNETT VALLEY - MOAVENI VINEYARD 

Bennett Valley became an official AVA in 2003, five years before the development of the Bowland Ranch Block at Moaveni Vineyard and long after grape growing was introduced to the micro region in 1862.

Bennett Valley is surprising cool (Region I) given its close proximity to the ultra-warm Sonoma Mountain AVA. The wild card is the foggy marine layer that frequently moves through the Petaluma Gap (a break in the coastal range lying upwind of Bennett Valley) and later billows over Taylor Mountain like dry ice in a chemistry experiment.

Three distinct blocks of the Pommard clone are picked together at slightly different stages of ripeness and later co-fermented in one tank. The result is a field blend that represents the unique character of the diverse terrain.

Awards

• 2014 E16 Bennett Valley "Moaveni Vineyard" Pinot Noir 
  
• 2013 E16 Bennett Valley "Moaveni Vineyard" Pinot Noir, 92 Points, Tasting Panel Magazine 
  
• ​2012 E16 Bennett Valley "Moaveni Vineyard" Pinot Noir, 95 Points, California Wine Advisors 
  

The 10-acre planting is situated along Matanzas Creek near the valley’s southwest end. At 770 feet of elevation, the mountain benches contain speckled loam soils that join forces with the Pommard clone to produce grapes translating to powerful wines.