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Imagery Estate Winery 14335 Hwy. 12 Glen Ellen, Calif. 95442 (877) 550-4278 • www.imagerywinery.com Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Tasting fees: $10-$15 Wines currently offered (hold your hat): Wow Oui (Sauvignon Blanc/Muscato); Pinot Gris; Viognier; White Burgundy; Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier Rosé; Grenache; Barbera; Sangiovese; Lagrein; Mourvedre; Dragonsleaf Red; Cabernet Franc; Malbec; Tempranillo; Petite Sirah; Petit Verdot; Code Blue; Vineyard-designate Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel; Pallas Estate (Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec); Pallas Cabernet Sauvignon; Moscato de Canelli; and Petite Sirah Port Appointment necessary: Only for parties of 10 or more Food pairing available: Events only Picnics: Yes |
At Imagery Estate Winery, “Code Blue” is actually a good thing. That’s because the wine is so damn good, you just may pass out cold. OK, no, just kidding. I mean, the wine is that good, but your health is safe (aren’t there a bunch of studies that say wine is good for you, too?). Code Blue is actually the name of one of the wines—a Syrah that’s co-fermented with 14 percent blueberry wine. It literally smells like blueberry pie, but isn’t as sweet as you might think. Try to imagine a dark, rich Syrah with a blueberry finish. All right, you probably just need to go taste it for yourself to see what I mean. Isn’t that what this article is all about anyway?
This place is about expressing yourself. And that’s what winemaker/owner Joe Benziger set out to do when he first started the Imagery series more than 20 years ago. He’d been working hard on helping his family make large-production wines for its Glen Ellen brand, Benziger Family Winery, when he decided there were a few small lots he wanted to focus on to make limited-production wines. Over time, his love for unusual varietals and rare blends grew. His project became so popular that he ended up opening Imagery Estate Winery about 10 years ago. And with the help of artist Bob Nugent, an amazing art collection began to grow as well.
“This is a real melding of wine and art,” says Sil Coccia, wine shop manager. Nugent was the first artist commissioned to create a label for the Imagery brand, and he’s since become the curator for what’s now a collection of more than 300 original pieces of art, each of which has been replicated as an Imagery wine label. There are paintings, tapestries, three-dimensional works—all with different genres and styles but one common element: The one rule any artist must follow to create artwork for Imagery is there must be a creative representation of the Parthenon (a structure located on the Benziger Family Winery property that looks like the actual Parthenon in Greece, just not as huge) somewhere within it. Each piece of artwork (nearly all are displayed at the tasting room—there’s even a gallery) is, has been or will be a wine label. A new one is featured with each release. Replicas of all pieces are available for purchase.
When you walk into the winery, you’ll first see a glass-encased wall of artwork-adorned bottles. To your immediate right is the main tasting room, which features a large island bar at the center, retail items ranging from clothing to gourmet bites, jewelry to cookbooks. There are two smaller tasting areas for club members and private parties. In front is a covered patio with a separate tasting bar (open usually on the weekends or for special events) and a large picnic ground beyond with tables and grass where you can spread out and take in the scene, as well as play bocce ball or horseshoes. There’s also a rear patio with large tables, umbrellas and a wood-burning oven that’s used for special weekend events. During the warmer months, there will be live music on the weekends. The atmosphere is casual and fun, and you can even bring your dog to picnic with you.
If you’re planning a special event, the winery has a commercial kitchen (for caterers) and can accommodate up to 100 people—no weddings, but rehearsal dinners and corporate parties are popular.
Imagery’s wine is served at a handful of nearby restaurants, otherwise it’s only available at the winery or through the wine club. Club members receive six shipments of two bottles, or two shipments of six bottles, per year (vintner’s choice). They also get special pricing on limited release, estate and vineyard-designated wines, a 20 percent discount on wine and merchandise purchased at the estate (as well as at Benziger Family Winery), a newsletter with recipes to pair with the wines that are shipped, and invitations to winery events. A new club option, called the Expressionist Program, lets members build a case of their own choosing, a minimum of twice a year, for one fixed price. “This program gives members the power of choice plus immediate gratification,” says Coccia.
The property is certified biodynamic, and Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec are grown on the estate. These go into its deep, rich flagship wines, the Pallas series. Imagery makes about 10,000 cases annually, and although there are many varietals available at any given time, each is a very limited production. The top seller is the White Burgundy, which is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc. The idea for the White Burgundy, and for the many other delicious wines Imagery produces, is to broaden the taster’s palate, and to open his or her eyes to new experiences and the art of wine.
“Joe’s become one of the best winemakers when it comes to boutique varietals and unique blends,” says Coccia. “Our sister winery, Benziger, does a fantastic job of the traditional varietals. We’re the alter ego.”
Looking for something different and maybe a little eye candy along the way? Imagery aims to please.
Did You Know?
Imagery is located in what was once the Sonoma Mountain Brewery.
Pallas is an epithet for Athena, the goddess of wine and wisdom.
