Dain abandons Syrah - has anyone else?

WINE TALK
1

On the Wine Exchange website (winex.com) I learned that Dain Winery has dropped Syrah from its production. (For those who like the wines you can purchase at a very serious discount on the site.)

Made me wonder, so I thought I’d ask…does anyone know of any other producers who have dropped their Syrah production? I mean outside of Garretson, who’s out of business, and Joseph Phelps?

pjc

2

Patrick,

Note that according to Dain’s response on another board, he actually abandoned syrah in 07 . . .

There are more unsold syrah grapes this year then last, so some people are either not buying as much or not buying any . . .

I am still buying syrah from both Thompson and Larner . . . and couldn’t be happier!

Cheers!

3

Abandon is such a harsh word…I prefer…off to focus on pinot. [dance-clap.gif]

I still love syrah and the vineyards that grow it and the people that tend it. flirtysmile

Cheers,

Dain

4

The Syrah market is a tough one, especially in this economy. I’ve have pretty good success selling through Syrah on my list but I wouldn’t add many more expecting better results. As long as I have a few stylistic choices in different price points, the rest seem monotonous and not worth adding to confusion to the consumer. I am happy to say that some board darlings like Novy, as well as other local favorites like Basket Case, Biggio Hamina, and Francis Tannahill have all done well for me, but many more selections would not make for better sales on my end. I’d love to have depth in Syrah like Cab but they don’t sell as well to the general public regardless of the food friendly nature they possess and the QPR they can represent.

5

As a fan of the Las Madres, I’m sorry to hear this. Is it a permanent move David?

[cry.gif]

6

Shocking…good business move, in my opinion, Dain. FYI, tasted your Pinots at Martin Scott last week, along with Terence L’s and Fred Scherrer’s. They were all in a row…funny…

I don’t doubt you are correct, and I won’t kid you, the market for syrah, even 91 point syrah, is not hot.-DDS

David, this market collapsed on the east coast a few years ago, well in advance of any economic collapse.

7

What a smashing deal for those, was gonna grab a case, but alas, its all GONE!

Great wines indeed.

$19.95???

8

There was talk of Novy cutting back, but I don’t know what happened.

9

A few years ago, rumors were that Novy was going to stop production altogether, but that never happened.

10

No slowing down here. Full speed ahead. The market will come around. The wines are too good to be ignored.

11

About time somebody started some rumors about us…I’m so damned tired of everybody gossiping about everyone else and leaving us out. [thankyou.gif] – I was about ready to start a rumor of the long-term incestuous relationship with a family member just to get folks mentioning our name and then Mackenzie Phillips beats me to it!

Seriously, we haven’t ever had any thoughts or conversations of stopping production…or even cutting production. Certain vineyards have come and gone…but last time I checked we are selling all of our wine and actually still making a profit.

Adam Lee
Novy Family Winery (and Siduri Wines)

12

Adam, We had a 07 Syrah Rosella’s the other night, and it was soooo killer good. Keep up the good work me amigo.

13

Posner is the rumor god. You should be a freelance writer for People.

14

Ah, the American market.

I had a lovely Catherine Marshall Syrah from Sud Afrique in the summer, just perfect, perfect stufff…blind, I think I might have mistaken it for Crozes.

15

Way to go John, spoken like a true winemaker! Forget the market, this wine will sell on its own merits!

16

I’ve only tried some of your syrahs and I like them. I’m glad you’re able to go full bore. But it seems it was on the table, as discussed in this thread. http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/showthread.php?t=160121

17

Wow, Steve, I think you are reading a different thread than I am. I wrote an article about Syrah sales being slow…which somebody posted about…in my responses I said, “We are fortunate that we continue to sell thru everything - but it is more work than before…As far as the mulititude of offerings go - I think that is a valid consideration. Certainly we are looking very carefully at where we buy our fruit, etc. but even if we chose now to make changes it wouldn’t be reflected for a few years.”

I have a hard time seeing how that translates that there was talk of “Novy cutting back” and that reducing production was “on the table.” Help me figure it out…did I miss a Novy Family meeting?

Adam Lee
Novy Family Winery & Siduri Wines

18

They cannot afford me,

Just as an FYI, I did not start this rumor.

19

Bottom line is that those passionate about the varietal on the production side are not ‘backing down’ as of now . . .

There are some great syrahs out there, and the 07’s in general are spectacular . . . and they generally offer the consumer more bang for their buck than most other red varieties . . .

John, Adam, et al - I’m with you - full bore ahead!

Cheers!

20

Godspeed…I love syrah and will not contribute to any ‘malaise’ for the variety. I hope I have made it clear I think my efforts are better spent with a focus on pinot, not meant to be any slight to syrah at all.

Dain

btw, if anyone needs rumors to spread about Adam, please pm me for photos [swoon.gif]