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C² (C Squared) Winery is located along Bennett Valley Road in one of the smallest and most recently designated Sonoma county wine producing appellations, Bennett Valley. It is nestled between three mountains and the soil is a mixture of volcanic ash and hillside rocks and boulders. The cool climate is influenced by the nearby Crane Canyon/Grange road wind gap which exerts some ocean influence. Bennett Valley includes only 650 +/- acres of planted grapes and is one of the most peaceful and unspoiled areas of all the wine producing regions of northern California.

Our vineyard, Bennett Valley Road Vineyard, consists of 3 acres of Merlot vines and a small block of cabernet used for blending. Our rocky hillside along with hot days and cool nights creates intense fruit flavors in our well balanced, dark colored and highly structured wine. The wine is aged for approximately 18 months in oak barrels, 25%-30% of which are new French oak.

Our wine is currently available at Lazzini’s in Santa Rosa , via our online store, and at a few selected stores and restaurants in New Orleans. See more places to buy.

For more information about C² MERLOT or to order our wine please contact us.

Our Story

The Christner family vineyard, a combined effort of Bonnie Curry and Ron Christner, thus C Squared, has been a labor of love in the newest and very small appellation in Sonoma county, California. Licensed as a winery in 2008 the BVR, Bennett Valley Road, vineyard, has produced high quality wine from the outset. The latest vintage, 2008, is an outstanding example of the production of intense, but well balanced and integrated Merlot made exclusively from the fruit of this estate vineyard property.

Wine

Sonoma Merlot

The wine exhibits dark red color, intense fruit flavors including bright cherries at the beginning, a hint of anise in the middle palate and chocolate at the end. A long extended finish is characteristic of the wine.

 The 2007 and 2008 vintages are currently available in limited quantities. Both are considered complex but mellow wines with good mouth feel in the middle and a long intense finish. The 2007 provides multiple layers of flavor with good balance. The 2008 is initially more fruit forward, well structured and rewards decanting with a full flavor profile.

Vineyard

C Squared winery in Bennett Valley produces 300-400 cases of premium quality Merlot from 3 acres of vineyards.

Planted in 2000, on rocky soil and boulder filled hillsides, the production is limited to 2-2.5 tons per acre. The result is a very intense and full bodied Merlot. The first production in 30% new French oak in 2004 resulted in a silver medal from the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and the later vintages have also received awards.

The February 2010 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine rated our 2007 Merlot 92 Points. The 2008 vintage won gold medals at both the Sonoma Harvest fair in 2010 and the San Francisco Chronicle judging in 2011.

Where to Buy

C² SQUARED MERLOT is available for purchase at The Wine Seller, Pearl Wine Company and Hopper’s in New Orleans and Dorignacs on Veterans highway in Metairie. It is also available at Aquistapace in Covington, The Vieux Carre’ wine store in the French Quarter, Sidney’s on Decatur street in the French Quarter and Lazzini’s in Santa Rosa, CA.

It is served at the following restaurants in New Orleans:  Galatoire’s, Upperline, Bayona, Redemption, Crescent City Steak House, Louisiana Bistro, NOLA, and Muriel’s, and Cafe Amelie in the French Quarter, and Adolfo’s (Fabourg Marigny).