2021 Hudson Vineyards Syrah

Hudson Vineyards in Carneros became a grape-growing estate in 1981 when Lee Hudson bought the 2,000-acre ranch and planted vineyards. Educated at the University of Arizona in horticulture, Hudson worked in vineyards in Burgundy before earning his graduate degree in viticulture and enology at the University of California at Davis, and starting a business in premium grape growing. In 2004 Hudson and his wife Cristina started producing their own wine and in 2018 built their on-site winery. Hudson Vineyards is known for its Chardonnay, though it also produces Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet France and white and red blends.

Carneros AVA, also known as Los Carneros, is at the southern end of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys at the top of the San Francisco Bay. The 8,000 vineyard acres are mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both of which thrive in the district’s cool, marine climate. Carneros became an AVA in 1983 and it has attracted foreign wine companies along with local producers. It has been especially appealing to European producers of sparkling wines including the giant Spanish cava producers Codorniu and Frexinet, and the French Champagne house Taittinger. Codorniu in Carneros is called Artesa, and Frexinet’s Carneros brand is Gloria Ferrer. Taittinger calls its Carneros winery Domaine Carneros. The European producers also make still wines in Carneros.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.