2015 Stolpman Estate Grown Ballard Canyon Syrah

Stolpman Vineyards was founded in 1990 when Tom and Marilyn Stolpman bought 220 acres on the Central Coast above Santa Barbara. Tom Stolpman is an attorney with a practice in Long Beach, California, but he and Marilyn were long time wine collectors who wanted to be involved in the wine industry. For several years the couple grew grapes which were sold to Sine Qua Non, Ojai Vineyards and other area producers. But in 1997 the Stoplmans started producing their own wines and today about 90% of the grapes grown on their 152-acre vineyard goes to make their own Stolpman wines. Stolpman produces Syrah, Roussane, Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc. It also has limited plantings of Grenache, Viognier, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. Stolpman’s Rhone-style blends earn ratings in the low- to mid-90s. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Stolpman “one of the up-and-coming estates in the Santa Ynez Valley…Stolpman should be a name to reckon with for many decades to come.”

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.

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.