Planted: 2001

Acreage: 14.6 acres

Elevation: 295 feet

Varietals: Pinot Noir (Clones 777, 667, and 114)

The vineyard is named for the bench-like terraces that cascade down the east-facing slope of the property. The vineyard contributes heavily to our flagship wine, Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir. Through the years we have also discovered that the grapes growing near the toe of the hillside have often become the primary component of our Suzanne’s Estate Pinot Noir.

The Bench block of Pinot Noir is the largest vineyard block on the Left Coast estate and therefore it contributes heavily to our flagship wine, Cali’s Cuvée Pinot Noir.

This vineyard is named for the bench-like terraces that cascade down the east-facing slope of the property. The Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777, grafted to 101-14 and Riparia Gloire rootstocks, have been expertly selected to extract maximum character from this site. The Bench typically contributes black cherry, fine grained tannins and a balanced acidity resulting in wines with strengths of structure and complexity.

Through the years we have also discovered that the grapes growing near the toe of the hillside contains some of the estate's highest best soil.