Wine

2009 Syrah, Estate Grown and Bottled, Santa Ynez Valley

Winery History:

Zaca Mesa wines are made from sustainably farmed grapes that are 100 percent estate grown, produced and bottled. With over 40 years of grape growing experience in the Santa Ynez Valley, Zaca Mesa's winemaking and vineyard teams meticulously farm their vineyard to focus on terroir-driven wines. Zaca Mesa began growing Rhône varieties in 1978 when they were the first to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County. Since then, they have learned that grape varieties planted in the Rhône Valley of France are best suited to Zaca Mesa's estate.

Zaca Mesa's Estate:

Purchased in 1972, Zaca Mesa vineyard soils are composed of Chamise Loam and Chamise Shaly Loam. They are well-drained soils that developed over gravelly beds of silt, clay, shale rock and other sandy water-deposited materials.  These soils are on dissected high terraces (or mesas) with elevations of 1500 feet above sea level. This high elevation provides cooler nights, which translates into wines retaining their natural acidity. Since 1997, the winery has replanted more than half of its original vines with high-density plantings of Rhone varietals with new rootstock and clone combinations.

Growing Season and Harvest:

It was another cold and dry winter in the Santa Ynez Valley.  Spring was mild and long with plenty of cool sunshine to awake the vines.  Summer was surprising cool, but Zaca Mesa welcomed the usual heat spikes around early September.  A threatening storm quickened our pace in mid-October, as they raced Mother Nature. The mild year provided great flavor development without excess sugar for wines of great balance.

Winemaking

After hand harvesting, the Syrah and Viognier grapes were placed into small open-top bins to co-ferment.  During fermentation, grape skins were punched down twice a day resulting in a wine of intense color, rich flavors and fine tannins.  The wine was then placed into French oak barrels for 16 months to age.

The Wine

Zaca Mesa Winery was the first to plant Syrah in Santa Barbara County in 1978. Today they farm 100 acres of Syrah on our estate comprising 9 different clones.  The diversity of vine age and clones provides their Syrah’s with complexity and depth.  Even with 30 years of experience with Syrah on Zaca Mesa's land, they continue to learn and improve their practices to make better wine. 

The 2009 Syrah displays deep blackberry, cassis, smoked meat, pepper and our signature sage spice.  The silky finish lingers from the ripe tannins with a touch of smoky oak.