The Benches Cinsault Rose
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed within 1–2 years of release to fully appreciate its fresh fruit character and vibrant acidity.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Nicoise salad, grilled shrimp, goat cheese crostini
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Sourced from the dramatic, steep-sloped terraces of The Benches Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, this rosé is a beautiful expression of Washington State's diverse terroir. The vineyard itself is a geological marvel, carved into basalt cliffs overlooking the Columbia River, where intense sun exposure is balanced by constant, cooling river breezes. This unique microclimate allows the late-ripening Cinsault grape to develop complex aromatics while retaining its vital, refreshing acidity. JM Cellars crafts this wine using gentle pressing and a cool fermentation process in stainless steel tanks, preserving the delicate floral, wild strawberry, and stony mineral notes that define high-quality Cinsault-based rosés.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1998 by John and Peggy Bigelow, JM Cellars is a highly regarded family-owned winery headquartered on a lush, wooded hillside known as Bramble Bump in Woodinville, Washington. The winery is dedicated to crafting limited-production, hand-crafted wines, sourcing premium fruit from top-tier Washington state vineyards—such as Champoux and Stillwater Creek—alongside their own estate, Margaret's Vineyard, located in the Walla Walla Valley. Under sustainable and Salmon-Safe certified practices, JM Cellars produces a diverse and acclaimed portfolio that showcases expressive Bordeaux and Rh$ne-style blends, structured Cabernet Sauvignon, and unique varietals like Carmenere and Cabernet Franc.