2022 Evan's Ranch Lone Oak Syrah

Since our founding in 1984, we have always been committed to making the best wines possible from our vineyards with fruit that we grow, produce and bottle entirely ourselves.  Over the years, we noticed that a lot of terrific wines were coming from the western edge of Santa Barbara Wine Country and in 1997, we acquired and developed the Evan’s Ranch Vineyard in the western Santa Ynez Valley, planting fifty-four acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.  Named for Dan Gainey’s Great Grandfather, this decision proved to be quite strategic and fortuitous as this was several years ahead of what was to become the most exciting cold-climate growing region in California, the Sta. Rita Hills.    

The Sta. Rita Hills region is very special and unique due to its east-west mountain orientation, which allows for the onslaught of cold Pacific Ocean winds.  In combination with our sunny climate, refrigerated-sunlight conditions are created allowing us to grow beautifully intense fruit that preserves the vibrancy, complexity and elegance associated with world-class wines. These challenging growing conditions are further enhanced and stressed by the marine-based soils dominating our vineyard and this region.

Syrah in cold-climates grows far more differently than warmer climates and has a style more closely associated with the cold and windy Northern Rhône in France centering around towns like St. Joseph, Cornas and Crozes-Hermitage.  It is more non-fruited than the robust styles you see in warmer areas and offers so much more in flavor, spice, palate presence and sophistication.  Aromatically, it drifts very Mediterranean to black olive, white pepper, rosemary and purple flowers like lavender and violets but also fascinating earthier notes like saddle leather, grilled meats and roasted earth. It pairs amazingly with anything roasted like meats (lamb) and vegetables particularly peppers, onions, tomatoes and eggplant.  And because it is Syrah, which structurally has more architecture, it can stand up to any complex food and ages very well. And in a nod to some classically made Syrah, we have returned to including a small percentage of Viognier to the finished wine, which contributes subtle beautiful floral nuances while also helping protect it atrractive purple color.

Named for the solitary oak that overlooks our vines at Evan’s Ranch, this is produced predominantly from two Syrah clones (Clone 877, Estrella).  Compared to our Las Brisas Syrah, this wine is immediately full of dark brambly fruits, anise and dark chocolate and is both richer, rounder and more generous on the palate.  Between the wonderful mélange of aromas and the mouth-filling palate, this wine provides immense pleasure and a very satiating experience.  Will drink well now through 2035.