2015 Keplinger Fuego Y Mar

Keplinger, based in Napa Valley, was founded in 2006 by winemaker Helen Keplinger and her husband Douglas Warner, and it has become one of the rising stars among wineries established by a new generation of youthful, innovative winemakers. Keplinger herself has been featured in cover stories in wine journals including Wine Spectator. Keplinger fell in love with Grenache during a sojourn working in a Priorat, Spain, and at her new winemaking enterprise she focuses on Grenache-based and other Rhone-style blends. Keplinger earned a graduate degree in enology at UC Davis and worked in Australia and several regions of California before starting her own venture. She sources grapes from the Sierra Foothills and elsewhere. Along with Grenache, she blends Mourvedre, Syrah, Viognier, and starting in 2012 has made a white blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. Wine writer James Laube has noted that “in embracing a handful of Rhone Valley grapes, especially Grenache, Keplinger has created captivating and uniquely styled wines that are stretching the boundaries of what has been a Syrah-centric arena among California vintners.”

Sonoma Coast AVA runs from San Pablo Bay in the south to Mendocino County in the north. It includes 7,000 vineyard acres and earned AVA status in 1987. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean means it gets double the rainfall of nearby inland appellations and the ocean gives the appellation a relatively cool climate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can thrive in these conditions, and there are numerous producers making critically acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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.