Winemaker and general partner of Benziger Family Winery, Mike Benziger had a goal over twenty years ago – to grow his own grapes and make his own wine.

One day while driving through the town of Glen Ellen, he impulsively turned onto a narrow road winding up a mountain. One particular plot, a volcanic valley on the side of the mountain, caught his eye.

The twenty-one diverse soil types found on the site inspired one of the key elements of the Benziger philosophy - "farming for flavors". This method of carefully tailoring viticulture techniques to soil type, exposure and climate allows Benziger to produce fruit of optimal complexity, concentration and intensity.

Mike's commitment to the environment led to chartering new territory in the wine industry. He has developed pioneering advances in sustainable agriculture producing unmistakably site-specific wines while serving as a steward of the land.