Syrah

Our Estate vineyard is one of the coldest vineyards in California growing Syrah – in the world, for that matter. When we purchased the old sheep ranch and apple orchard we were concerned that we would not be able to ripen Pinot noir, much less Syrah. Due to the moderating effect of our maritime climate and our latitude, however, the onset of wet and cold weather is late and gradual and we experience cool days with full sunshine in October. This allows us an additional month to ripen our grapes in comparison to other typical Syrah growing regions of the world. Importantly, that last month of ripening weather is cool and signature aromas of white pepper, game, iron and leather remain in the grape skins that would “bake” out in a warmer region.

Cool climate Syrah can take two forms. They are either red-fruited with floral and sanguine notes or leaning towards dark fruit with meaty, earthy notes. Each of our two cuvées – La Bruma and Les Titans – capture one of these expressions along with our site’s mineral and white pepper characteristics. In both cases, refreshing acidity and low alcohol result in balanced wines with extraordinary age-ability. As a comparison, warm climate Syrah is characterized by big blue fruit and is often chocolate-y, soft, and rich. That profile is not what you will find in Peay Syrah. Our Syrah will intrigue you and enter your brain and end up finding a solid foundation in your belly.

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Syrah Cuvées

Click the cuvées below to explore the unique Peay Syrah wines


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A collage of photographs and graphics that represent this Cuvée. This image is also used as the product image for wines of this Cuvée.

Les Titans

“the Giants, the Gods”

We farm grapes on the West Sonoma Coast which is also known as the Redwood Coast. Free of human appetite, redwoods thrive on the California coast as they need wet and cool air to grow and create their own moist and chilly microclimate under their overstories. They are also very productive sinks for carbon and prolifically produce the oxygen we inhale. To walk in a redwood forest is to walk on another planet, a majestic and peaceful one.

Les Titans pays tribute to the magnificent and enormous old growth redwood trees that surround our vineyard and play a vital role in creating the timeless magic of our place. Les Titans is the more muscular of our two estate Syrah featuring dark fruit, charcuterie, black pepper, leather and game. It is not a bruiser, however, with the refreshing acidity and brightness lending the wine grace and elegance. Les Titans is a blend of four of the six clones we grow on our eight steep, terraced acres each clone playing a key role in the blend’s profile. We only make 200-300 cases in any given vintage and age the wines 16 months in barrel and just under two years in bottle before release.

And, lest you have not heard us say it before, we should state that cold climate Syrah – like Peay Syrah – is really the red wine you want to drink when you head to your cellar for something that pairs well with food. It has the flavor profile that plays well with a piece of red meat (iron, blood, red and black fruits, herbal notes, high acid) while also being light enough on its feet to complement tomato dishes, fowl, pork, and roasted vegetables. At least half the time we head to the cellar for a bottle of Pinot noir or Cabernet we emerge cradling a bottle of cold climate Syrah. It represents more than half of what we have in our cellars and may in yours, too, once you give in to it.

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A collage of photographs and graphics that represent this Cuvée. This image is also used as the product image for wines of this Cuvée.

La Bruma

“the fog, the sea mist”

The fog and sea mist that snakes up the river valley to encase our hilltop is one of the most important and unique features of our maritime micro-climate. The cold, saturated air causes the later afternoon temperatures to cool significantly slowing down sugar accumulation and allowing the acid in the grapes to respire more slowly resulting in energetic and focused wines that will age well. The sea mist also brings moist air which can provide some benefit to other flora and fauna but also creates mildew and rot pressure that may inhibit fruit set and yield depending on the timing. Mother Nature mitigates some of this concern as an afternoon wind blows in from the Ocean every day around noon to help dry off the leaves and fruit.

La Bruma Syrah is the more lifted and aromatic of our two Estate Syrah. It often features floral notes of lavender and violets along with the ever-present core of zingy red fruits, mineral bass notes of graphite, and savory herbal accents. I find the profile more akin to an Hermitage Syrah than other parts of the northern Rhône. But, to be clear, La Bruma is decidedly a Peay Vineyards, West Sonoma Coast Syrah and is not trying to be anything, or anyone, else.

And, lest you have not heard us say it before, we should state that cold climate Syrah – like Peay Syrah – is really the red wine you want to drink when you head to your cellar for something that pairs well with food. It has the flavor profile that plays well with a piece of red meat (iron, blood, red and black fruits, herbal notes, high acid) while also being light enough on its feet to complement tomato dishes, fowl, pork, and roasted vegetables. At least half the time we head to the cellar for a bottle of Pinot noir or Cabernet we emerge cradling a bottle of cold climate Syrah. It represents more than half of what we have in our cellars and may in yours, too, once you give in to it.

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Upcoming Release

Be among the first to know about new offerings

We produce small quantities of each wine, some under 100 cases. When we have new wines to sell, they are offered to subscribers of our mailing list for first-pick. After they have made their purchases, what we have left in stock is made available to the general public. Thanks to our supportive following, our wines tend to sell quickly. If you don't want to miss out, and would like to receive an email when we have a new release available, please join our seasonal newsletter here.
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Syrah Archive

For wines no longer for sale through our online store, you can read tasting notes, reviews and scores here:

Wine Archive
If you've purchased a bottle or have wine in your cellar, you can find Aging Recommendations here.

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Our Wines

Pomarium, Scallop Shelf, Ama, Sonoma Coast, Savoy, Elanus
La Bruma, Les Titans
Estate, Sonoma Coast, Elanus

Want Some Wine?

Our wines are made from grapes grown on our 53-acre hilltop vineyard located above a river in the far northwestern corner of the West Sonoma Coast, 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean. We grow Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. You can browse our current offerings in our online Wine Shop.

Shop

Want Some Wine?

Our wines are made from grapes grown on our 53-acre hilltop vineyard located above a river in the far northwestern corner of the West Sonoma Coast, 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean. We grow Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. You can browse our current offerings in our online Wine Shop.

Shop