2023 White Rose Estate Convivialists Syrah

White Rose Estate is on the upper elevations of the Dundee Hills, just up a gravel road from some of Willamette Valley’s most venerable wine producers, including Archery Summit and Domain Drouhin. White Rose was founded in 2000 when Greg Sanders purchased the 10-acre White Rose Vineyard, one of Oregon’s oldest and most renowned vineyards. Sanders had been an entrepreneur in the aerospace industry when, in 1995, he started taking viticulture courses at UC Davis. The White Rose Vineyard was planted to Pinot Noir in 1980, and over the years it was a source for premium grapes for Torii Mor, Panther Creek and St. Innocent. Sanders produced his first commercial vintage inn 2001. In 2009 Sanders purchased an additional four acres. Jesus Guillén has been head winemaker since 2008. White Rose focuses on Pinot Noir. Wine writers have been complimentary, often rating the wines in the mid- to high 90s. Wine Advocate wrote “Old vines, low yields, and a willingness to stretch the envelope have made White Rose Estate one of the premier producers of American Pinot Noir.”

Walla Walla Valley AVA likes to call itself the Napa Valley of Washington, and given the concentration of well-reviewed wineries in the appellation, the comparison is understandable. The Walla Walla appellation is comprised of 340,000 acres, of which 1,200 acres are vineyards. Walla Walla is located in the southeastern corner of Washington and it extends slightly into northeastern Oregon. It is named after the Walla Walla River Valley, and the city of Walla Walla is the commercial center of Washington’s wine industry. The city was founded in the 1840s by the Hudson’s Bay Company as a trading post, but as early as the 1850s farmers were planting grapes for winemaking. Prohibition shuttered winemaking in the early 20th century, but a winemaking renaissance started in the 1970s when Leonetti Cellars, still one of the state’s most acclaimed wineries, started producing acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon. Walla Walla’s AVA status was awarded in 1984 and today there are more than 100 wineries. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape, followed by Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese Chardonnay and Viognier.

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.