2004 Favia Sal y Miel Syrah

Favia Erickson Winegrowers was started in 2003 by Annie Favia and Andy Erickson. The couple are both Napa Valley winemakers with formidable resumes. Favia worked for John Kongsgaard and David Abreu, among others, and Erickson has been a winemaker at Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle and other wineries. The couple owns vineyards but also sources grapes from Amador County and Napa Valley. They make Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, as well as Viognier and Rhone-style blends. The wines are generally available only via Favia’s mailing list.

North Coast AVA includes California’s most prestigious sub-appellations and vineyards. The three million acre area includes vineyards in six counties north of San Francisco and nearly 50 sub-appellations. The Napa Valley and Sonoma County AVAs are just two of the renowned sub-appellations included in the North Coast designation, which also includes the AVAs Diamond Mountain District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Stag’s Leap and Rutherford, which are all among the most acclaimed wine producing districts in California. The North Coast AVA designation is generally used for wines made by blending grapes grown in several counties or AVAs. The appellation includes part of the counties of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Marin, Solano and Lake.

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.