Bennett Valley, Sonoma County, California

Recognized as the thirteenth Sonoma County American Viticultural Appellation (AVA) in 2003, Bennett Valley's rich history of grape growing dates back to the mid-1800s. Once defined as part of the Sonoma Valley and Sonoma Mountain AVAs, Bennett Valley still overlaps with these wine growing regions but carves out a distinct 8,500 acres to call its own. This defined area is located in the most northwestern corner of the Sonoma Valley AVA, bordering the Chalk Hill AVA to the north and the Sonoma Coast AVA to the west.

The primary point of differentiation between Bennett Valley and the immediate surrounding area is the wide swings between daytime and evening temperatures resulting from a cool maritime breeze. This breeze, called the Petaluma Wind Gap, is captured by the three mountains that envelop Bennett Valley – Bennett Mountain, Sonoma Mountain and Taylor Mountain.

Soil diversity also contributes to Bennett Valley's unique character. The soils are of volcanic origin formed over millions of years of geologic movement and change. Old lava flows, tuffs, sandstone and gravel comprise the soil makeup of the foothills and mountainsides while the valley floor is made up of well-drained loams, clay subsoils and alluvial soils. Characteristic of Bennett Valley fruit is a slight hint of smoke, resulting from basalt, an ancient ocean floor rock found in Bennett Valley soil. The combination of soils and climate stresses the vines which results in lower yields and accounts for the exceptional high quality and intensity of Bennett Valley fruit.

In 1996 Matanzas Creek Winery proprietors purchased the majority of Taylor Mountain, re-naming the land Jackson Park. Only 120-acres of this 1200-acre mountain land are planted with grapevines, with the remaining land left to continue flourishing as a natural habit. Jackson Park is planted exclusively with Merlot and is divided into 37 distinct subsections (or micro-crus) each of which possesses unique soils, slopes and micro-climates. Our viticultural team manages each micro-cru differently depending on climate, soil type and irrigation needs. This micro-cru philosophy combined with low-impact farming and precise matching of rootstock to soil supports Matanzas Creek Winery's quarter-century position as a visionary and pioneer in North America's viticultural community.