[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BENOVIA WINERY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Benovia Winery on the 20th anniversary of its creation and to recognize 
the incredible contributions of its founders, Mary Dewane and Joe 
Anderson, and its winemaker, Mark Sullivan. For two decades, Benovia 
has produced handcrafted wines with a deep commitment to 
sustainability, land stewardship, and community support, values that 
have made it a treasured part of our Sonoma County.
  The story of Benovia began with Ms. Dewane and Mr. Anderson, a wife-
and-husband team whose shared careers in the healthcare sector focused 
on expanding access for underserved populations, especially Medicaid 
recipients. Their passion for service extended into their personal 
lives when, in 2002, they began exploring California's Wine Country and 
discovered a mutual love for Pinot Noir. In 2003, they purchased the 
Cohn Estate Vineyard, the oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in the Russian 
River Valley. By 2005, their commitment to the craft had grown into a 
full-fledged winery named ``Benovia,'' a blend of their fathers' names: 
Ben Dewane and Novian Anderson.
  Benovia's first vintage was produced in 2005, followed by its 
commercial debut in 2006. That same year, Mr. Anderson sold his 
successful managed care company to focus entirely on the winery. The 
team also welcomed Sonoma County native and fermentation science 
graduate Mark Sullivan, who joined as winemaker and has played a vital 
role in shaping Benovia's signature style ever since.
  Over the past twenty years, Benovia Winery has expanded to over 71 
acres across the Russian River Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) 
and the Sonoma Coast AVA, where it farms at three estate vineyards: 
Cohn, Martella, and Tilton Hill. The original ranch property has been 
restored, with an old ranch house converted into a welcoming tasting 
room, a former horse barn now used as the red wine facility, and the 
original winery repurposed for white wine production.
  Benovia specializes in small-lot, handcrafted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, 
and Zinfandel, most of which is sold directly to consumers. In the 
vineyard, the team employs numerous sustainable farming techniques, 
including the use of 171 solar panels, organic composting, and the 
cultivation of habitats that support beneficial wildlife.
  Beyond then work in the vineyard, Ms. Dewane and Mr. Anderson have 
remained deeply engaged in philanthropic efforts, giving back to the 
community through support for programs that address food insecurity, 
literacy, and local journalism. Through Benovia Winery, they have 
created several charitable wine releases to benefit nonprofit causes. 
Ms. Dewane and Mr. Anderson also created a wine line in tribute to the 
life and career of Congressman Ed Pastor, with their 2018 Pastor 
Adelante Pinot Noir release. Their dedication to service, both in 
business and beyond, has left a meaningful and lasting impact in our 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that we honor Benovia Winery 
for twenty years of excellence in winemaking, sustainability, and 
community engagement. I join the people of our Sonoma County in 
celebrating this milestone and in recognizing Joe Anderson, Mary 
Dewane, and Mark Sullivan for their vision, generosity, and leadership.

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