Open: Year-round
The first vines were planted on what is now Michel-Schlumberger Benchland Estate in 1979, by Jean-Jacques Michel, a native of Switzerland. Michel traveled far and wide across Northern California searching for the perfect place to establish his winery. He immediately recognized the potential of the Dry Creek Valley climate and soils to produce premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay grapes, and the contoured exposures of Wine Creek Canyon in particular, to create very unique flavors, especially in red wines.
In 1991, Jacques Pierre Schlumberger joined the winery team, bringing with him a more than 400-year family legacy of winemaking in Alsace, France, at Domaine Viticoles Schlumberger. The Michel-Schlumberger brand was born, and over the years, the reputation of the wines and the beauty of the Estate garnered attention from around the world. In 2011, Schlumberger retired, and the Estate evolved again, with investment and new management committed to taking the wines and the winery to even greater heights.
The mission-style architecture of the Estate hearkens to Michel-Schlumberger's European roots, while honoring the influence of the Spanish in early Californian history. Today, the winery's white stucco walls, terracotta tiled roof, bell tower and grand courtyard offer a spectacular place to enjoy a day in the Wine Country. Our Estate heritage is reflected in our guest experience. In addition to guided tastings in our spacious Tasting Salon, we encourage guests to explore and enjoy the property sharing a bottle of wine on the terrace, curling up by the fireplace, exploring our gardens and redwood grove, or just relaxing around the reflecting pool.
