2004 Jade Mountain Snows Lake Vineyard Syrah

Jade Mountain in Napa Valley was founded in 1984 when San Francisco attorney Jim Paras purchased 22 acres on the eastern slope of Mount Veeder. By the late 1990s the estate was producing 10,000 cases annually of Syrah, Merlot, Mourvedre and Viognier. In 2000 the estate was purchased by the Chalone Group, a conglomerate of wine and spirits companies, and in 2004 the Chalone Group was purchased by the international beverage group Diageo. Jade has always been well known for its estate Syrah. Today the estate sources grapes from Lake County, Napa County and Sonoma County. Jade produces red and white Rhone Style blends called la Provencale, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.

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.