In the shadow of some of Napa’s most beautiful mountains sits one of the area’s most picturesque wineries.  At the northern end of the Napa Valley and with a backdrop that includes the Palisades, Mount St. Helena, and the Mayacamas, family-owned Bennett Lane Winery produces award-winning wines, many of which have garnered 90-plus points from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.

In addition to incredible wines, Bennett Lane is widely known as one of the best tasting experiences in the Valley with a comfortable and welcoming ambiance. General Manager Stefanie Longton said the winery takes pride in welcoming guests and giving them the red (wine) carpet treatment.

“We want guests to have fun when they come to visit,” says Longton.  “Our vibe is friendly and our tastings are incredibly laid-back, and completely non-intimidating.”

Founded in 2003 by Randy and Lisa Lynch, Bennett Lane Winery was inspired by Italy’s wine and food culture with a winemaking philosophy that produces wines that complement a meal rather than overshadow it. The results include succulent Cabernets and their signature “red feasting wine” Maximus, which demonstrates the Lynch’s commitment to making wine an integral part of entertaining with family and friends.

Bennett Lane’s wines are crafted to be approachable, yet complex – or what owner Randy Lynch calls “the best of both worlds, meaning you can drink them today, but they are structured enough to cellar for several years.

While the winery’s succulent red wines are among the best in the Valley, as the weather begins to warm and taste buds crave lighter fare, tastings move into the beautiful garden framed by glorious roses and adjacent to the lush vineyards. The elusive White Maximus, available exclusively at the winery, is just the ticket. This small-production wine (less than 300 cases) is not available on the tasting flight, and sell out in a matter of weeks after release. The White Maximus is the perfect white blend for summer, with 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Chardonnay, and 1% Muscat.

Bennett Lane’s off-the-beaten-track location and friendly tasting room offers a “secret gem” to Napa visitors and a great way to learn about – and try – some of Napa’s best wines in a more intimate setting.

Tasting experiences available:

Signature Seated Tasting
A fabulous introduction to Bennett Lane Winery is through their signature seated tasting in the winery garden. Enjoy incredible views of the Palisades Mountains while tasting four of their signature wines, including Chardonnay, Maximus Red Feasting Wine, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Reserve Seated Tasting
The Reserve Seated Tasting is a private tasting in the winery garden that features four Reserve wines: the Chardonnay and three Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. This experience is for groups of 2-6 people to discover the wines and history of the winery. A personal wine educator will pour four small-lot wines at a leisurely pace, allowing guests the opportunity to sip and learn the full story of each bottling – the winemaking, fruit sourcing, cellaring and more. This tasting is a classic example of the hospitality for which Bennett Lane is known.

Wine Blending Experience
For guests who’d like a more hands-on approach, check out the Wine Blending Experience. This begins with a sensory evaluation seminar focused on Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah – the principal components in Bennett Lane’s signature red Maximus blend – followed by the fun opportunity to blend a bottle of Maximus Red Feasting Wine. Once the blend finalized guests will also bottle, cork, foil, and label their very own individual bottle (one per person). The experience concludes with a glass of each guest’s blend and a tasting of reserve wines.

www.bennettlane.com