Amateur here. We are looking to plant an acre of Syrah in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We have been told that pinot would probably be more appropriate but for a variety of reasons have decided against it. We currently have about 1 acre of Chardonnay, fourth year but last year was wiped out by powdery mildew (tough learning curve!).
We are at about 800ft elevation and a mile or so as the crow flies from the ocean. We are usually above the fog line. We have produced dry-farm tomatoes commercially for decades so I think we have enough heat. We are one ridge west of where Randall Graham planted his famous Syah vineyard in the 80’s that unfortunately was wipe out by Pierce’s disease (I think?).
Check in with Big Basin, they have Syrah planted in the SCMs and IIRC, John Alban was the consultant when they planted in the last 90’s or very early 00’s
Thanks Mel, I will talk to Bradley about that. Appreciate the tip.
Casey- our main farmer thought he could wait until the first signs and then spray. Next year he will spray according to the calendar. A steep learning curve! We have been certified organic for close to 40 years (I have not been there for most of it.)
Adam -we only have made wine once, 2 years ago, and had that done by a local winemaker. The main farmer’s also use the grapes in one of their value added products.
checking in to see if you got any recommendations for cool climate Syrah clones - I’m always looking up here in OR and end up talking to a number of prospective (and current) vineyard owners about what to plant. There is so much Pinot on the market here, as far as I can see, with more coming online as vineyards mature. Syrah would be fun to have more of up here.
Still looking, but it has been discouraging how many people are talking about ripping Syrah out because they can’t sell it. We’ve sort of put a pause on it, but we’re gonna hopefully start again in the next few months, looking around. Please let me know if you find anything promising.
Syrah isn’t tricky if you have wine people as customers, but it is tricky for distribution and retail. Always keep hearing about how it’s finally time for US Syrah to shine, but never seems to happen on broader scale. However, niche producers like Pax, A-R, Bedrock etc most likely all do very well with their Syrah. My own has also done pretty decent and I’m expanding that side in my Biograf-series, because apparently my Riesling series wasn’t enough of a challenge…
Here in the W.V. I have really enjoyed the 470 we work with. We work with both 471 and 470 and an unknown clone from another site. I prefer the smaller berries of the 470 to the 471, a little more concentration for that last little push in October. The 470 is fine, but an overall juicier expression so it can feel a little washed out. We have these planted on sedimentary soils and source from another sedimentary site in Yamhill-Carlton. I’d go low vigor sites in cooler environs, and plant management (shoot thinning, canopy work) is a bit busier than on our Pinot Noir. Cool climate syrah rocks, and I sure hope consumers keep coming around for the amazing quality of cool climate domestic syrah. What a wonderful grape. Hope it is ok that I bumped this thread.
Looking forward to finding some cooler climate Syrah here in the WV, and know nothing about the clones - helpful info. I’ve been liking domestic Syrah more often than not - and in my little world in Amity people are excited by it. That and Cab Franc.
Hey Ian,
If you are close to riparian habitat, I would steer you away from Syrah, Chard, or Pinot there as Pierce’s disease is a pain (I have dealt with it up in the Santa Cruz Mountains). If you are, try Chenin Blanc instead as from what I have heard is more resilient. Randall may have had Pierce’s or perhaps Syrah decline (or both) so you are a sitting duck when the climatic conditions shift. If you are locked on Syrah, since it sounds like you are close to aptos, getting enough ripeness is important so I would stay away from Estrella or 174 (bigger clusters). Tablas creek selections are nice for more tannin expression. I have not been impressed with 470 in Monterey County and grafted it. 877 Would be a safe bet. My fav though is my samsonite selection. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any other questions.
