New World Wine Shop hosted a Benzinger wine tasting the weekend before Thanksgiving, which of course prompted further reading about what it was that we were sampling in the store.  Typically there is a backstory about how a winery got started and a little more information about how the wine is produced. Really, it's why we love our Wine Table Tastings so much... we get to tell Wine Stories! 

There are many things we love about the Benziger Family Winery; the first being that it includes "FAMILY".  Not just some family... the entire family! With some help from his parents, the Benzinger Family Winery was founded in the late seventies by one of the seven Benzinger siblings.  It wasn't long before more siblings joined in on the running of the vineyards and eventually all seven children were involved in one way or another.  

The second thing we love is the biodynamic way of farming the Benzinger Family Winery practices.  Biodynamic is a pretty complex word; but it's also the reason Benzinger wine produces such complex and vibrant flavor.  BIodynamic is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming that mirrors the natural systems found in nature.  Everything plays a role, there is no waste, and the end goal is the make the farm completely self-sufficient system that requires no outside assistance to produce the crops.  All nutrients in the soil come from the farm itself.  

SUPER sustainable.  SUPER organic.  SUPER flavor.

After nearly 40 years of business, the Benzinger Family sold their winery to a much larger company a few years ago.  They may have sold the business, but the farming practices remain the same, as does the quality of the wine.  Something else you don't hear very often is every single employee of the winery kept their position with the company, and was given a raise.  While the Benzinger family may not be in the wine business anymore, they have recentered their drive for success in the philanthropic sense, giving back to the community where both their family and business flourished over the years.       

Through the holiday season we invite you to stop by our wine shop in downtown Lake Geneva to pick up a bottle or two of wine from the Benzinger Family Winery collection to share and enjoy with your own family.  

The true gift will be the retelling of this Wine Story.  ::Crickets::

Good luck with that! You may just want to stick to the wine!      

Many families celebrate the holiday with an abundant feast served mid-day. Although we appreciate this tradition, (the sound of screeching brakes coming to a halt!) we prefer cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the early evening followed by an elegant buffet of Thanksgiving faves.

For the sake of our sanity and the freedom to not be constantly in the kitchen missing all of the festivities, we are in favor of simple appetizers to serve our guests.  So here are a few suggestions, with wine of course.

Rosemary Roasted Cashew Nuts
Butternut Squash Crostini
Thanksgiving Wine Selection
Chicken Liver Pate
​

In a saucepan simmer 4-8 cups of apple cider with:
2-cinnamon sticks
6-10 whole cloves
2- apples cut in wedges
1- cup of whole fresh cranberries
½ cup of sugar
Gently simmer for 20-30 minutes, then cool completely and strain
 
Add 1 ounce of cran-apple mixture to a champagne flute.
Fill with chilled sparkling Riesling.

​Perfect with butternut crostini!

EVENT DATE: NOVEMBER 12-13
Kick off your holiday season by visiting Downtown Lake Geneva this weekend! Lake Geneva Downtown Holiday Open House features an explosion of holiday happenings from many of the downtown merchants. Start your holiday journey with a stroll and preview of offerings for the upcoming Holiday Season, while musicians, authors and artists entice guests to sip and taste their way through Lake Geneva’s historic downtown district! Help support local businesses and find something unique for everyone on your list this holiday season.  We have some great wines and spirits for the holiday's, with much more to follow!