Harvest & News at Riverbench

Greetings Wine Linos!

And the Grapes Come Rolling In…

It’s that time again!  Riverbench officially brought in their first grapes of the season on Friday, August 24- Pinot Noir for their rose sparkling wine.  They typically harvest a bit earlier for the sparklers.  With the warm weather, they should be going strong in just a week or two.  Always wanted to be a part of wine grape harvest?  Join them for this weekend’s Vineyard Walk and find out more about everything that’s going on with the Riverbench team.

Be sure to “hop on” this fall to enjoy some amazing warm weather and see the grapes on the vine.  Harvest is always a pretty magical (if exhausting!) time.

Here’s to a spectacular vintage!

The Benchmark Wine Club

The Riverbench wine club is the best way to stay in touch and be treated like part of the family!  Make it your own with mixed wines, reds only, or whites only, or try the only sparkling wine club in Santa Barbara County!  Sign up today to receive your first shipment this October.

Enjoy these exclusive benefits:

  • Complimentary wine tastings for up to four guests.
  • A great discount on wine and merchandise in our tasting room.
  • VIP Day at the Winery (up to 4 guests, 1 annually) including lunch.
  • Exclusive membership-only wines like our Tributary Pinot Noir
  • Customized club choices: Mixed Wines, All Whites, All Reds, or Sparkling wine options!
  • So much more…

Please feel free to email them f you have any questions (amber@riverbench.com).

Upcoming Events

**THIS WEEKEND!** Vineyard walk with Jim Stollberg, Saturday, September 8th at 11am
Learn about vineyard management from Vineyard Manager, Jim Stollberg as he takes you on a tour through the beautiful Riverbench vines. Cost: Free tour. $20 for optional lunch and wine tasting ($15 for Benchmark Members). Reservations Required. Please RSVP.

Music in the Vineyard, Summer Concert #4, Saturday, September 15th, 12:30-3:30pm
The very gifted and charming Sean Wiggins will be rockin out on the lawn playing all of her own music for your listening pleasure. In addition, the Flavors Food Truck will be here to satisfy your hunger cravings (cash only please), and of course your favorite bottle of Riverbench wine will be available to quench your thirst! Bring a blanket, relax & enjoy some gorgeous summer weather and views at Riverbench Vineyard!

Valley Oak SPCA 3rd Annual Wine & Wags Gala & Auction, Saturday, September 15th, 6:30pm
Join Riverbench as they travel to Visalia for the 3rd annual Wine & Wags Gala! It is a spectacular evening of wine and food tasting, live and silent auctions and entertainment under the stars. All proceeds from this event support Valley Oak SPCA’s efforts to raise funds for the new Adoption and Education Center. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information visit www.vospca.org or call 559-713-4694.

The Las Vegas Wine & Food Festival, September 22, 2012 at the Red Rock Casino & Resort, 8am to Midnight
Experience your wildest fantasies at The Las Vegas Wine & Food Festival. Join Riverbench along with 100 other wineries from all over the world at this one-of-a-kind event. This year’s event benefits The James Beard Foundation. For more information and tickets please visit www.vegaswineandfood.com.

Benchmark Members October Pick Up Party, Saturday, October 6th, 5-7pm
You don’t want to miss this one, Benchmark Members! Come taste the wines featured in your October shipment and indulge in a variety of delicious wood burning oven flatbread pizzas.  Two Complimentary tickets per membership. Space is limited. RSVP is required.

Please make your reservations through our tasting room or email krysta@riverbench.com.

Featured Restaurant: Louie’s California Bistro in Santa Barbara, CA

Looking for a casual but delicious spot in Santa Barbara?  Look no farther!  Louie’s, located in the charming Upham Hotel downtown, serves up outstanding and unpretentious food and pours both our Bedrock Stainless Steel Chardonnay and our moderately oaked Estate Chardonnay by the glass.  Try these wines with the addicting Chicken in Puff Pastry or one of their inventive pastas.

2012 Photo Contest – Last Call for entries!

We’ve noticed that the first thing most of you do when you drive into Riverbench is take out your cameras.  And rightly so- the view is exquisite.  Why not?  Now through September 7, submit your own Riverbench photos for our annual Photo Contest!  The winner will be revealed at our Concert on the Lawn on September 15 at the winery.  The prize?  A private lunch and wine tasting for 10 at the winery!  So don’t hesitate to get out those cameras, then send your photos to them at info@riverbench.com. Sorry, but photos cannot be returned.  Winner will be notified by email.

Congratulations, Kandice and Ed, who got engaged at Riverbench and sent the picture featured here!

End of Summer Special Just For You!

From now until September 9 at midnight, receive 30% off of any order of 6 bottles or more of our 2007 Estate Pinot Noir Library Release!  (Discount only applies to this particular wine.)  Enter Code DRINKUP on our their order form or email info@riverbench.com.

Hope to see you at one of these events or have you take advantage of some of the great opportunities.

Until the next drop.

The Wine Line