Syrah has always been one of my favorite varieties of wine. I discovered Syrah in the early 1980’s while travelling in European countries, especially France. The Mecca for Syrah in France is in Northern Rhone. This wine region runs along the Rhone River, North to South. The vineyards are predominantly on the West Bank of the river. The best-known appellation for Syrah in Northern Rhone is Cote Rotis, which means in French the “roasted slope.”

Besides Syrah, Northern Rhone is also known for growing three white varieties, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. Typically, winemakers will blend a small amount of Viognier into their Syrah. While they are allowed to add up to 20%, most winemakers will not exceed 5% of Viognier. In my opinion, the reason Viognier is added to Northern Rhone Syrah’s is to make the wine fruitier, more aromatic and brighter. Syrah wines from Northern Rhone are typically bold, with an intense color and mainly earthy and savory flavors, combined with cocoa and smoke and somewhat fruity, with raspberry and black currant flavors.

With the advent of DNA typing, Carol Meredith’s research group at the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis was able identify the parents of Syrah. The two varieties are known as Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, the father and mother of Syrah. To this date traces of these two varieties are found within 50 miles of Northern Rhone, which supports the belief that Syrah originated in the Rhone Valley of France.

On the other hand, some legends connect Syrah with Shiraz, which is the name of an ancient city in Iran. According to mythology, the Syrah grapes originated in Shiraz, not in Rhone, and were brought to the Rhone Valley by a hermit whose name was Gaspare de Sterimberg. In modern times, the name Shiraz has been used by wineries in Australia where Syrah has become a very common variety that is grown there.

Syrah has also been connected with the city of Syracuse in Sicily. The myth is that Syrah was brought to the Rhone Valley by the Roman Emperor Probus from the city of Syracuse. As it turns out, there is only one real Syrah. The one originating at the Rhone Valley of France. All the others are imaginary.

When I started the winery project in 2000, Syrah has been one of my primary priorities. In 2001, I made my first Syrah from Syrah grapes that I purchased from local growers. I have a few bottles left of this wine, which is still magnificent.

In 2002, I planted 6 acres of Syrah, with three different clones 877, 383, and 7. All three are French clones, origination in Southern Rhone. Unfortunately, I experienced a serious decline with clone 877, the extent of which I haven’t seen in other clones or varieties of grapes. The problem has been swelling and cracking of the graft union. After 5 years in the ground, I started losing these plants at the rate of 20% per year. Ten years later the entire vineyard block was gone. Some of you may remember that in 2010, I made a blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah and called it Eulogy, in memory of my Syrah clone 877.

I consider Syrah to be a perfect wine, especially the one that comes from our region. It has a beautiful purple color, with intense fruity and earthy aromas, a lasting mid-palate with hints of smoky, meaty flavors. And if you harvest the grapes when they are ripe, you will have a smooth and full body wine without a trace of astringency. Live a long life and enjoying Syrah. Happy New Year!

Chaim Gur-Arieh
January 2025