2007 La Sirena Barrett Vineyard Syrah

La Sirena was started in 1994 by Heidi Barrett, one of Napa Valley’s most admired winemakers. Barret grew up in Napa Valley working in vineyards and at wineries, and later earned her college degree in fermentation science at UC Davis. She worked as winemaker at numerous Napa Valley wineries and in 1992 became the winemaker of Screaming Eagle, the most famous of the California Cult Cabs. An avid scuba diver, Barrett named her own label La Sirena, which means “mermaid” in Spanish and Italian. The Calistoga winery makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Muscat Canelli.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

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.