From the atlas
Martin Ray Winery
Martin Ray Winery is based in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley, with hillside sourcing and a Synthesis Cabernet that joins valley floor fruit to mountain tannins.
At A Glance
| Field | Detail |
| Place | Russian River Valley, Laguna Ridge, Sonoma County |
| Main grapes | Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir |
| Named bottle | Synthesis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Style | Red Cabernet Sauvignon with valley floor and mountain components |
| Defining feature | Hillside vineyards selected for individual appellations and vineyard expression |
The Producer
Martin Ray Winery takes its name from Martin Ray, who worked in Saratoga and was mentored by Paul Masson. He followed a Burgundian approach to winemaking, making single varietal, region specific wine from selected California regions.
The modern winery works with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Its sourcing reaches beyond the home estate to several California growing areas, while the Martin Ray name continues under Courtney Benham's ownership.
Place
Martin Ray Winery made its home in the Russian River Valley in 2003, on the edge of Green Valley. The property is set on Laguna Ridge in Sonoma County.
The estate covers 12 acres. The stated sourcing footprint extends to the mountain regions of Santa Cruz and Napa, and to the northern reaches of Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Coast. Hillside vineyards are selected to express individual appellations and vineyards, so the range draws its shape from several California growing areas.
Wines
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir form the principal grape group. Synthesis is a distinct Martin Ray range, and its Cabernet Sauvignon is built from valley floor and mountain components. The mountain component brings chewy tannins to the red Napa Valley wine.
Across Synthesis, blending is intended to express each vintage and highlight the nuances of its components while retaining appellation character. The range is organized around a Cabernet Sauvignon whose valley and mountain sources meet in one bottle.
In The Glass
The Synthesis Cabernet brings earthy fruit and tertiary character around an approachable, silky palate. Valley floor fruit supplies the accessible side of the wine, while mountain material contributes the developed character that sits behind it.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose the 2021 Synthesis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a red Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, with the Synthesis name attached to a blend of valley floor and mountain components. The 2021 vintage places one harvest on the label, and the bottle puts the Napa Valley origin, the vintage and the Synthesis blending method together in one wine.
Anecdote
Nearly twenty years after Martin Ray's Saratoga operation ended, Courtney Benham stumbled upon 1,500 cases of Martin Ray wine in a San Jose warehouse. The cases brought a stored chapter of the name into Benham's hands. He purchased the Martin Ray brand after finding them. Since 1990, Benham has overseen production of artisanal wines under that name. The warehouse discovery began the modern revival of Martin Ray, turning a cache of bottles into the starting point for a new production program in California.
Final Word
Martin Ray Winery joins Saratoga history to a Russian River Valley home and a California sourcing program. The cellar separates the grape programs: Chardonnay completes primary and malolactic fermentation in barrel, Cabernet Sauvignon uses French oak fermenters, and Pinot Noir is layered by clone in small open top fermenters.
Sources
1. https://www.martinraywinery.com/martin-ray/winery/story/ 2. https://www.martinraywinery.com/martin-ray/winery/winemaking/ 3. https://russianrivervalley.org/member/martin-ray-vineyards-winery/ 4. https://www.martinraywinery.com/synthesis/winery/winemaking/ 5. https://www.wine.com/product/martin-ray-synthesis-cabernet-sauvignon-2021/1572088 6. https://www.wineenthusiast.com/buying-guide/martin-ray-2021-synthesis-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley/