Matthiasson Syrah, Zayante Vineyard 2022

Region: United States, California
Grapes: Syrah
Farming: Certified Sustainable, Certified Organic

Steve Matthiasson, nominated for a prestigious James Beard, believes that winemaking is a ‘natural extension of farming.’ He and his family own and work on seven vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma using site-specific methods of farming to develop intense fruits. This elegant Syrah shows what’s possible when a grape variety is planted in its ideal environment — in this case, a mountaintop north of Santa Cruz where the perfect combination of cool, foggy mornings and sun-drenched afternoons coax out wild stone fruit and blackberry notes along with forest floor aromas and classic, black pepper spice.

pairings: grilled chicken thighs with dried fig and port wine sauce