14 Feb Benessere Vineyards
Benessere Vineyards
1010 Big Tree Road, St. Helena, CA 94574
benesserevineyards.com
Region: Napa Valley
Owners: Benish Family
Winemaker: Matt Reid
About: Benessere Vineyards is a family-owned, estate winery in the heart of St. Helena, dedicated to showcasing the depth, elegance, and age-worthiness of Italian varietals in Napa Valley. Rooted in our estate vineyards and guided by a hands-on, small-lot approach, we focus on wines that balance purity of fruit with structure, texture, and a true sense of place. We’re passionate about championing “undiscovered” grapes—varieties that don’t always get the spotlight, but absolutely deserve it. That’s what makes Benessere a natural fit for the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes: we’ve built our reputation on bringing Italian varietals to the forefront, crafting wines that feel both distinctive and unmistakably Napa. Whether you’re new to these grapes or already a fan, we love sharing the story behind each bottling and why these varieties belong at the table—and in your cellar.
What is your favorite undiscovered grape? My favorite undiscovered grape to work with is Falanghina. I always find it delicious, but I have a hard time describing its wonderful flavors, aromas, and texture. Its evolution through fermentation and maturation is beguiling.
What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? In 2013 I was thrilled to take on my first harvest at Benessere, and with that the opportunity to take a crack at making my first ever Sagrantino and Aglianico. Although I had enjoyed both varieties many times prior, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to work with these grapes in Napa Valley. I had them in side-by-side open-top fermenters so I could take in as much sensory information about the fermentations as possible. I was surprised that these two tannic, late-ripening varieties seemed to want very different winemaking treatment, with the Sagrantino thriving with as many punchdowns a day as I could give it, while the Aglianico seemed to want much gentler treatment, with just a single punchdown each day.
What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? All of the many undiscovered grapes we work with revitalize the joy of winemaking. It feels like an adventure discovering new flavors. It’s so much fun to try to capture the spirit of a new-to-me grape variety.
