WINE OF THE MONTH - October 2019

A BIODYNAMIC TRAILBLAZER

This article originally appeared in Camana Bay Times

Long before biodynamic farming became a trendy practice in wine production, Benziger Family Winery in Sonoma County was way ahead of the curve. Benziger was one of the early converts to biodynamic farming in California, starting the transition in 1995. In 2000, the Demeter Association certified Benziger as a biodynamic farm and the following year it released its first certified biodynamic wine. Since 2006, all of Benziger's wines have been certified biodynamic, organic or sustainable.

Biodynamic farming is more difficult and more expensive than other forms of modern viniculture, but Benziger chose to adopt the practice, not because it was  trendy and offered marketing benefits, but instead because the family wanted to farm its properties in a sustainable way that helped regenerate the land. Although most people wouldn't be able to distinguish a wine produced with biodynamically grown grapes just by tasting, over the long term, a vineyard will produce better and healthier grapes, and thus better wines, through biodynamic farming.

Benziger's Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is an entry-level sustainable wine. Blended from grapes sourced from some of Benziger's premier vineyards, this affordable-yet-rich wine offers juicy berry flavours with soft tannins, making it an easy-drinking, crowd pleaser that will pair nicely with meats off the barbecue — steaks, burgers, pork ribs, pulled pork and beef brisket. 

Always a good value priced in the mid-$20 range, this month Benziger's Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon is on sale for CI$20.49 — a savings of $5 — at West Indies Wine Company.