When most people think of wine from the north coast of California, they think of $200+ per bottle Cabernet Sauvignon from sprawling Napa Valley estates, or of the river of predictably jammy Pinots flowing from Sonoma. But there’s a new breed of winemakers taking root on the North Coast who are pushing back against the homogenization of California wine. More focused more on site and vintage expression, and less on formulaic ‘winemaking-for-scores,’ these winemakers view their craft as artform.
Benevolent Neglect, a four-year-old winery sourcing fruit from Mendocino and Carneros, is a perfect example. Their name reflects their philosophy—to find the best quality fruit they can get their hands on, and then do as little to it as possible. They believe that great quality wines start in the vineyard, and that it is merely the winemakers’ job to steward it into the bottle—without excessive use of oak or commercially produced additives.
Join us on Monday, June 26th, for a dinner with Benevolent Neglect winemakers, Ben Brenner and Matt Nagy, as they share their wines and the Old World bottles that inspired them.
Menu
Sparkling Welcome Wine
First Course
2016 Benevolent Neglect Riesling, Mendocino County
2014 Brundlmayer Kamptaler Terrassen Riesling
Paired with Cured Long Island Fluke with avocado, leeks and rhubarb
Second Course
2015 Benevolent Neglect Grenache, Eaglepoint Ranch Vineyard, Mendocino County
2012 Alto Moncayo Garnacha Campo de Borja
Paired with Chili Glazed Pork with spring onion and royal trumpet mushrooms
Third Course
2014 Benevolent Neglect Syrah, Las Madres Vineyard, Carneros
2010 Paul Jaboulet Aine Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert
Paired with Long Island Duck Breat with heirloom carrots, orange and ginger
