Riverbench Vineyard was established in 1973, when the first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were planted on the bank of the Sisquoc River, known as the Santa Maria Bench. For decades since then, some of the most renowned wineries have purchased Riverbench fruit for their
Long before the Santa Maria Valley benchland was recognized as a great winegrowing region, the native Chumash Indians knew it as "tepuztli," meaning copper coin. Later, Spanish settlers translated the word as Tepusquet. As part of an 1837 Mexican land grant, "Rancho Tepusquet" was home
During the 1970's the Miller Family planted Bien Nacido Vineyards. Since that time, winemakers throughout California coveted the fruit from this singular piece of land. Heavily influenced by the nearby Pacific Ocean, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah have found great expression here.
