Food & Wine

AVA Wines of Sonoma County: Bennett Valley Wine Region

Matanzas Creek Winery, Santa Rosa

Although Sonoma County’s Bennett Valley has only been recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) since 2003, the grapevine got a much earlier start here.

In 1862, Santa Rosa winemaker Isaac DeTurk planted a vineyard on land he purchased from valley namesake James Bennett. DeTurk called his winery—the valley’s first—Belle Mount. However, the combination of phylloxera and Prohibition cleared the valley of vineyards by the early 20th century.

It wasn’t until the late 1970s that vineyards returned to Bennett Valley in a meaningful way, at the pioneering Matanzas Creek Winery. These days, there are 650 vineyard-planted acres and—including tiny Aesthete Wines by Jesse Katz of Healdsburg’s Aperture Cellars—just a handful of wineries in the Bennett Valley AVA.

Top Grapes & Wine Varietals

Merlot and Chardonnay garnered early acclaim here, and Cabernet Sauvignon has long been grown in the part of Bennett Valley that overlaps with the Sonoma Mountain AVA.

In recent decades, growers have realized how exciting Pinot Noir, Syrah, and even Grenache can be in this cool-climate region.

Summer vineyards sparkle in the rising sun — Jackson Family Wines’ vineyards in Bennett Valley

The Lay of the Land

The Bennett Valley AVA is located south of the city of Santa Rosa, on high ground between the Sonoma Valley and Cotati Valley. The AVA begins where the city’s suburban neighborhood known as Bennett Valley abruptly gives way to rolling oak woodland and horse pastures bordered by ancient stone walls.

Why is this tiny appellation, located as far inland as Chalk Hill, also one of the coolest AVAs in Sonoma County? The answer lies in the Petaluma Gap, where a break in the higher coastal hills lets in cool winds and fog from the Pacific Ocean.

While the fog may eventually make its way up the Russian River Valley, Bennett Valley sits directly in the path of the initial incursion. In fact, on some summer afternoons, a finger of fog can be seen making a beeline for the valley via Crane Canyon – as if with focus and determination.

Notable Wineries

Two chairs are covered by an orange shade umbrella and surrounded by blooming lavender — Matanzas Creek Winery in Santa Rosa, California

Matanzas Creek Winery

Matanzas Creek Winery was founded in 1977 on the site of a former dairy. It’s said that the native malolactic bacteria there contributed to the success of the barrel-ferMamented style of Chardonnay. Now owned by Jackson Family Estates, the winery is also renowned for its lavender fields and lavender products.

Coursey Graves

Coursey Graves‘ 40-acre estate sits high atop the steep, rocky slopes of Bennett Mountain, with gorgeous valley views for days. This small-production winery sustainably farms and produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah from its own 13-acre Graves Vineyard.

Belden Barns

Perched at 1,000 feet on the Northwest shoulder of Sonoma Mountain, Belden Barns is a true California gem. The property has a long history of farming and hospitality dating back to the late 1800s. The property includes 100-year-old Monterrey Cyprus trees and 1880s-era white farm buildings. Belden Barns produces 10 estate wines including Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier.

Restaurants and Lodging near Bennett Valley

A few miles west of Bennett Valley in Santa Rosa’s Montgomery Village, you can try Monti’s for wood-fired rotisseries and Wine Country cuisine. In addition to nightly specials from the large wood-fired rotisserie, there are small and big plates featuring fresh local meats and seasonal produce. Or continue over the hills to Glen Ellen in the Sonoma Valley for more dining opportunities, such as the Glen Ellen Star, specializing in wood-fire cooking that brings out the best flavors of their California-inspired dishes.

Where to Stay

The Flamingo Resort offers stylishly retro accommodations, complete with pools and a fitness club. Newly renovated, this classic hotel is an iconic mid-century marvel located on a lush, 10-acre campus in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country with access to over 200 wineries and breweries, plus a kaleidoscope of outdoor activities.

If you want to camp in the area, sites are available nearby at Spring Lake Regional Park. The park features camping, fishing, picnic areas with barbecues, and five group picnic areas. Trails are available for walking, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding, as well as a 3-acre swimming lagoon and a 72-acre lake.

Looking for a blend of elegant vintage and contemporary? Head to the Sonoma Valley for a night at the Gaige House. This inn features 23 thoughtfully appointed guestrooms with a modern, Asian flair. Eight new Zen suites feature granite soaking tubs and private Japanese gardens perfect for in-suite spa treatments. This is a 100% non-smoking property.

Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight