2004 A Donkey and Goat Winery Vieilles Vignes McDowell Valley Syrah

Donkey & Goat Winery in Berkeley is part of the new wave of urban “garagiste” producers. Up and down the West Coast young winemakers who generally do not own vineyards are making very small batch wines in basements, garages and urban industrial parks. Typically, they make varietals or blends that are not common to their region, and they contract with vineyards for grapes. Donkey & Goat also sets itself outside of the mainstream by making what it calls “natural wines,” a philosophy which covers both agricultural and cellar practices. Donkey & Goat is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Jared and Tracey Brandt. They have been making wines commercially since the early 2000s, contracting for grapes from growers in the Sierra Nevada, Mendocino and Napa, always working with vineyard managers who practice some variation of sustainable, organic and/or biodynamic viticulture. In the cellar the Brandts believe in minimal intervention. Donkey & Goat makes many Rhone style wines, both red and white, as well as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Gris.

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.