2003 Nicholson Ranch Estate Syrah

Nicholson Ranch is a 40-acre estate nestled between Sonoma and Napa Valleys. It is owned by Deepak Gulrajani, a high-tech entrepreneur. The vineyards were planted in the late 1990s and a state-of-the-art winery was completed in 2003. Nicholson’s debut vintage was the 2000. The estate makes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah.

Sonoma Valley AVA is Sonoma County’s original winegrowing district. Designated as an AVA in 1981, it includes 14,000 vineyard acres in a long, narrow valley that runs north-south. Rather romantically, the valley is also called The Valley of the Moon. The oldest winery in the AVA, and one of the oldest in California, is Buena Vista Winery, founded in 1857 by a Hungarian count who planted vineyards in Wisconsin before moving to California. Today there are nearly 60 wineries in the AVA producing a variety of wines, from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurztraminer. The appellation is bordered by mountain ranges on the east and west, which partly account for Sonoma Valley’s unique terroir. The mountains protect it from the cooling weather of the Pacific Ocean and fruit ripens well.

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.