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theCompass mobile application is a winery, brewery, and distillery locator for North America. |
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Benton-Lane Winery
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In the early 1980’s I wanted to make Pinot Noir. I was making wine in Napa Valley under the Girard label, but Napa wasn’t the place to make Pinot. Pinot Noir is a special grape and it does not respond well to lots of heat, and if the growing conditions for Pinot Noir are too warm, the fruit gets burned out. The spiciest, most interesting Pinots are produced in cooler climates, like Oregon. After studying maps of soil, climate, wind, rainfall, degree days, wind patterns, frost free days and sun photon strength I determined that the highest quality Pinot Noir in the world could be grown between Eugene and Corvallis in a thirty-mile area of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This was 120 miles south of where most of the Oregon wineries were located, but I knew that they were located there only to sell their wines, not because it was the best location for a Pinot Noir vineyard.
After I scouted different locations and kicked lots of dirt clods, I found an old sheep ranch called Sunnymount. It was placed on the planet for one reason, and one reason only, and that was to grow killer Pinot Noir. Sunnymount is located between Eugene and Corvallis and lies above the valley fog line, but below the windy ridge tops. It faces the southeast so it gets morning sun, and it’s gently sloping so that frost isn’t a major factor. It is protected from the west by a large mountain that splits oncoming storms, so it is just sunnier than other areas north and south (hence the name Sunnymount). Pilots landing in Eugene and Corvallis called Sunnymount the “Keyhole” because if it was cloudy, they could usually fly to Sunnymount and there find clear spots to get under the clouds.
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Directions
COMING FROM EUGENE: Take I-5 to Eugene then take the Beltline exit going west. Next take the Highway 99 exit going north. Continue north thru Junction City, and then take the 99W exit to Monroe. Just as you enter Monroe, turn left on Territorial Hwy. Benton-Lane is on the right-hand side of the road, just a grape's throw (about 1.5 miles) south of Monroe. COMING FROM CORVALLIS: Take I-5 south to Corvallis. Take Highway 99W going south from Corvallis to Monroe. Just as you leave Monroe the road divides -Highway 99W curves to the left and Territorial Hwy goes straight. Go straight on Territorial Hwy. for approximately 1.5 miles – Benton-Lane is on the right-hand side of the road.
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Benton-Lane "First Class" Pinot Noir
Our premier vintage of "First Class" Pinot Noir is a deep ruby colored wine that exhibits classic aromas of cherry and blackberries, with more complex underlying scents of plum, truffle, anise, cedar and forest floor. Very ripe, fine tannins and balanced acidity create a rich, velvety texture that leads into an extremely long finish. The exquisite balance in this wine makes it a very versatile food wine.
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Benton-Lane Estate Pinot Noir
This deep ruby colored pinot noir has impressive and varietal aromas of bing cherries, red plums, hibiscus and wild mushrooms. The smooth, ripe tannins give a voluptuous texture to the mixed berry and chocolate flavors of the wine. A hint of white pepper adds further complexity to the lively and seamless finish.
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Benton-Lane Pinot Blanc
Aromas of almond, butterscotch and lemon custard followed by a hint of baking spices create an intriguing and complex wine. The texture is rich and creamy, with moderate acidity that keeps this wine focused through the long, seamless finish. Unique and memorable, this wine would pair nicely with seafood.
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Benton-Lane Pinot Gris
his pale-straw colored Pinot Gris displays generous floral, pear, and citrus aromas. On the palate, this wine is beautifully balanced. Initially crisp with zesty lime and grapefruit notes, the texture rounds out with pear and Granny Smith apple flavors to conclude with a delightfully bright and lingering finish.
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Benton-Lane Pinot Noir Rosé
The fruit for this wine was harvested from the oldest pinot noir block in our vineyard. After two days of skin contact to extract the beautiful color evident in this Rosé, we used a technique known as saignee, or bleeding of the juice, from a tank of pinot noir. The juice was then fermented at a very cool temperature to maintain the fresh, vibrant flavors and aromas. The wine was bottled early under screw cap closure to ensure maximum retention of these wonderful flavors and aromas. There is only one word to describe this Rosé….SEXY!!! First, check out the color - just like a bouquet of fresh red rosebuds. This has to be the most beautiful wine ever made. Roll it around in your mouth and feel the silky texture.
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