The 2008 Verna’s Vineyard Syrah, thanks to very low yields, is again chewy, dark, sweet herb, intensely flavored, olive tapenade, chocolaty, fruitful wine. Already powerful, whole cluster fermentation adds weight and a spice component. A blend of Estrella, Clone 1, and 174 clones grapes yields balance and complexity. (278 cases produced) Available only as 2011 club shipment.

• The Melville’s Rhone varietal ranch in Cat Canyon near Los Alamos is a cool, windy site, within view of the more intense fog layers of Santa Maria. It is an ideal growing site and meticulously farmed by Brett Melville.
• The steep hillside vineyard block is planted to Clone 1 Shiraz and Estrella clone 1 syrah. This block yields very little fruit. Conversely, this block yields the most intense fruit from the vineyard.
• The flatter vineyard block is planted to Clone 877 and Clone 174 syrah. The 877 was blended into the 08 Santa Barbara County syrah. This block produces at higher yields, but produces surprisingly intense wine. We always marvel at how hard the berries from this block are at harvest – they actually bounce!
• Clone 1 harvested from the steep hillside Oct 16th at 26.0 brix and 3.9 pH, 1 TPA
• Estrella clone harvested from the steep hillsides on Oct 16th at 25.0 brix, 3.9 pH, 1 TPA
• Clone 174 harvested Oct 27th at 25.5 brix, 3.35 pH, 3.5 TPA
• Hillside fruit (Clone 1 and Estrella) was foot stomped and whole cluster fermented for several days following a two day cold soak. This wine component adds power, spice, and texture. (82% whole cluster fermented)
• Clones 877 and 174 fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for 14 days of fermentation after a two-day cold soak.
• Inoculated with D254 and RC 212 yeasts.
• This wine represents eleven choice barrels selected out of a total lot of eighteen.
• Nine of the barrels represented the whole cluster foot stomped hillside fruit. Two of the barrels were new American oak and two were new French oak.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
• Racked in July, and again before bottling.
• Unfined and lightly filtered.
• 18 months barrel age.
• An incredibly powerful wine, big and bold. Will benefit from aging.
• Bottled in May 2010.

Available only as 2011 club shipment. Purchase other wines now at our Online Store

The 2009 Verna’s Vineyard Syrah is its typically chewy and dark self with overt herb-olive-black berry flavors. Whole cluster fermentation adds weight and a spice component. Like the Bien Nacido bottling, it is somewhat reduced upon opening, but evolves beautifully in the glass. A blend of Estrella, Clone 1, 877, and 174 clones grapes yields balance and complexity. The majority of this fruit was fermented whole cluster. (271 cases produced)

• Verna’s Vineyard is the Melville Family’s Rhone varietal ranch in Cat Canyon near Los Alamos is a cool, windy site, within view of the more intense fog layers of Santa Maria. It is an ideal growing site and meticulously farmed by Brent Melville.
• The steep hillside vineyard block is planted to Clone 1 Shiraz and Estrella clone 1 syrah. This block yields very little fruit. Conversely, this block yields the most intense fruit from the vineyard.
• The flatter vineyard block is planted to Clone 877 and Clone 174 syrah. This block produces at higher yields, but produces surprisingly intense wine. We always marvel at how hard the berries from this block are at harvest – they actually bounce!
• Clone 1 harvested from the steep hillside Oct 6th at 24.5 brix and 3.6 pH, 1 TPA
• Estrella clone harvested from the steep hillsides on Oct 6th at 24.0 brix, 3.5 pH, 1 TPA
• Clone 174 harvested Nov 2nd at 27.0 brix, 3.5 pH, 3 TPA
• Clone 877 harvested Nov 4th at 27.2 brix, 3.25 pH, 3 TPA
• Hillside fruit (Clone 1 and Estrella) was foot stomped and whole cluster fermented for several days following a two day cold soak. This wine component adds power, spice, and texture. (73% whole cluster fermented)
• Clones 877 and 174 fruit was stemmed but not crushed. Intact, whole berries were placed in small bin boxes for 14 days of fermentation after a two-day cold soak. (27% of the blend)
• Inoculated with D254 and RC 212 yeasts.
• This wine represents eleven choice barrels selected out of a total lot of thirty.
• Eight of the barrels represented the whole cluster foot stomped hillside fruit. One of the barrels were new American oak and two were new French oak.
• Went through ML fermentation, completing in January.
• Racked in July, and again before bottling.
• Unfined and unfiltered.
• 18 months barrel age.
• Bottled in May 2011.

Available only as 2012 club shipment. Purchase other wines now at our Online Store

Verna's Vineyard is the Melville Family's Rhone varietal ranch located off Cat Canyon Road near Los Alamos. Its steepest hillsides are planted to Syrah and Viognier. We are lucky enough to work with Estrella and Clone-1 Syrah fruit from these low yielding, highly stressed blocks. Brent Melville treats the vines with care. They face north west. They can feel the fog in Santa Maria. They make great wine.

Food Pairing:  This is a powerfully flavored wine which works well with similarly flavorful food.  Try dark sauces, even some with dark fruit.  Makes a great reduction sauce.  Try spiced or BBQ pork, lamb, or beef.  Seared, spiced Ahi is a favorite, as is smoked salmon.  Slow roasted short ribs in syrah reduction sauce!