Into the Fog

A beautifully crafted Willamette Valley blend.

Our flagship wine — the 2023 Into the Fog Pinot Noir is a captivating organic blend that showcases the finest qualities of two renowned Oregon vineyards. The majority of the fruit, 85%, is sourced from a vineyard nestled in the Dundee Hills, while the remaining 15% is carefully selected from the esteemed Eola-Amity Hills. On the nose, this Pinot Noir greets you with an alluring medley of ripe red cherries, wild strawberries, and a subtle hint of earthiness, accompanied by delicate aromas of rose petals, cinnamon, and a touch of forest floor.

Varietal
Pinot Noir
Vineyards
Dundee Hills / Eola-Amity | Willamette Valley
Tasting Notes
A harmonious fusion of blackcap raspberries, licorice fern, cedar, and sweet earth, intermingling with fresh, juicy red fruit. The wine's energetic acidity and graceful tannins provide a perfect backdrop for the complex brininess and mouth-watering vibrancy that are the hallmarks of the Dundee Hills terroir. The influence of the Eola-Amity Hills is evident in the ethereal note of wild rose that emerges on the finish, alongside spiced oak and a mouth-coating basalt minerality.
Food pairing
Pair with grilled Salmon, mushroom risotto, roasted chicken with root vegetables.
Wine Rating
96 points Decanter
Benmar wine 2023 Into the Fog bottle shot
96

Further Into the Fog

‘Into the Fog’ was not a struggle; the name just clicked. Unlike Benmar, which took us through hundreds of names, this one felt right instantly. Having returned from our time living on the coast and now living back in Portland, Jen, our resident Art Director / photographer, only had a few hours during the day to venture out into nature to snap photos. It had been so easy on the coast, but now took some effort living in the city, balancing parental responsibilities with creativity.

On this day, Jen was headed to Hoyt Arboretum specifically to find the redwood grove and take photos from the trail. Big deal, an Arboretum!! Not so fast. This place, just minutes from downtown Portland, is truly unique. It is a living tree museum founded in 1928 on 190 ridgetop acres, with 12 miles of hiking trails and over 2,300 species of trees and shrubs from six continents. Seeing that kind of depth and mystery in the city is wild! On the way back, the fog began to mix with the trees and the ‘Into the Fog’ label happened – a moment perfectly capturing that misty, moody, natural beauty we love here in the Pacific NW.

Before it even had a name, this Pinot Noir was aging in barrels. My time at Vivino gave me a unique insight: people raved about Willamette Valley Pinots from Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, and Yamhill-Carlton. Chehalem Mountains were in the mix too. While I adore 100% Dundee Hills – those delicate, red fruit, mineral-driven wines – I know they’re not for everyone. So, with the 2023 Into the Fog, we blended in Eola-Amity Hills for those darker fruit, savory notes, and firmer tannins. It’s a magical combination.

Our flagship Willamette Valley wine needed an iconic label. Standing out against the fog, this photo of the lone tree felt like it was calling me, like a bottle on a shelf. ‘Into the Fog’ embodies that feeling of starting a hike, the air thick and alive, and taking that first, soul-rejuvenating breath.

Our goal with Into the Fog, and all our wines, is simple: deliver exceptional quality at a great price, wines you’ll want to return to repeatedly. Consistency is key for us. Cheers, and thank you for your support! Please reach out to us as we would love to connect with you and share our wines wherever your story unfolds.

Benmar Into the Fog origin story - person running on a redwood trail at Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum forest trail

Benmar Into the Fog label - lone tree on a misty hillside in Hoyt Arboretum

The moment we found this lone tree

Hoyt Arboretum forest path

Hoyt Arboretum - on the way back

Hoyt Arboretum view of red wood trees framed by pine trees

Hoyt Arboretum - through the looking glass

Hoyt Arboretum - dew drops on branches

Hoyt Arboretum - the fog and morning dew

A photo of the moon

The phase of the moon during this time

  • Benmar Into the Fog origin story - person running on a redwood trail at Hoyt Arboretum

    Hoyt Arboretum forest trail

  • Benmar Into the Fog label - lone tree on a misty hillside in Hoyt Arboretum

    The moment we found this lone tree

  • Hoyt Arboretum forest path

    Hoyt Arboretum - on the way back

  • Hoyt Arboretum view of red wood trees framed by pine trees

    Hoyt Arboretum - through the looking glass

  • Hoyt Arboretum - dew drops on branches

    Hoyt Arboretum - the fog and morning dew

  • A photo of the moon

    The phase of the moon during this time