The JG Benda winery is a fascinating new chapter in the rich history of wine production in Montalcino.
Founded by John Gregory. Benda, this winery has in a short time established itself as a name worth keeping an eye on in the world of wine.
The unusual thing about JG Benda is that it has been started from scratch – a rarity in a region characterized by long-standing traditions and established wineries.
John Benda has drawn his knowledge and inspiration from one of Montalcino's most respected winemakers, Alessandro Mori, Il Marroneto - known for the coveted 100-point wine; Madonna delle Grazie.
After a year working for free at Mori to delve into the subtleties of wine from soil to bottle, John decided to apply this knowledge to create his own winery with his girlfriend, Zoe. The result is a winery where passion for wine and respect for nature go hand in hand.
The winery is located just north of the town of Montalcino in humble conditions, but with total control over the processes and quality.
The 2 fields that John and Zoe own are in the middle of a wooded area just south of the city and close to the iconic Case Basse estate behind the equally iconic Soldera wine. The fields lie high at approximately 500 m above sea level, are surrounded by the most beautiful nature and are in a perfect microclimate for wine growing. The subsoil is a mixture of galestro, red clay and sandstone. Absolutely perfect for creating the most beautiful expression of the sangiovese grape.
In the effort to expand and diversify the production of wine, 'Brunello certified grapes' are bought every year. They come from an impressive plot of land of 1 hectare, located directly opposite the famous Biondi Santi Il Greppo estate. This east-facing field lies at 530 m above sea level. The soil here has a higher degree of grey-blue marl and is mineral-rich from shellfish sediments dating back to the Pliocene period.
After 28 months at Botti, Brunello di Montalcino 2021 has just been bottled and will now lie in the cellar for the next 20 months, before expected release in 2026.
All work in the fields is biodynamic. No pesticides, herbicides or chemical products are used. The surrounding forest provides a natural and wonderful biodiversity. During the growing season, the fields are as untouched as possible.
The winemaking is therefore 100% organic, which John considers to be a completely natural thing when you want to achieve the best quality. (Certification has not yet been achieved, as the vineyards must have been cultivated organically for a minimum of 3 years for this.)
At JG Benda, the focus is on harvesting the grapes when they have reached full physiological maturity, which is essential for the quality of the wines. The decision about the right harvest time is not based on laboratory tests, but rather on a sensory evaluation of the grapes.
They are tasted, their texture is noted, color changes in the stalks are observed, and the kernels, which should be brown with a crisp, nutty flavor, are carefully evaluated.
The harvest is done manually. The grapes are carefully sorted both in the field and again in the cellar by John and Zoe, before they are 100% destemmed and transferred to stainless steel vats. Here, the malolactic fermentation starts spontaneously with the naturally occurring yeast strains on the grapes, a process that lasts 2-3 weeks.
Vertical presses are used to extract maximum flavor and natural acidity from the skins and seeds of the grapes, which is important for the shelf life of the wine. After fermentation, the wine settles naturally before being transferred to large oak barrels. The barrels are either French or Slavic selected oak of the best quality from Gabellotto - 20HL to 26HL.
After 20 months, the wine is bottled directly from the barrels, without filtration and with minimal use of sulfur dioxide.
This meticulous attention to detail at every stage of production ensures that each bottle not only reflects the unique terroir of Montalcino, but also demonstrates the winery's commitment to traditional craftsmanship to perfection!
John and Zoe's approach to winemaking and their dedication to quality ensure that JG Benda is already on its way to becoming a notable player in the Montalcino wine landscape. No doubt that it is one of the future stars of Montalcino!
This first vintage of Rosso di Montalcino was already allocated to the world long before its release, and the amount of bottles does not match the demand at all.
We look forward to following their continued journey and enjoying the exceptional wines.
