2012 A Donkey and Goat Winery Fenaughty 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.

Sierra Foothills AVA is in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and it includes parts of eight counties. With total acreage of 2.6 million acres, and nearly 6,000 vineyard acres, it is one of the largest appellations in California. Wine grapes were planted in the foothills during the Gold Rush in the mid-19th century and the appellation was officially recognized in 1987. There are five sub-appellations within the Sierra Foothills region, and more than 100 wineries, most small and family-owned. Zinfandel is the most successful wine grape in this region, though Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are also planted.

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.