Syrah has recently become a popular wine among consumers. This high demand has lead winemakers to experiment growing Syrah grapes in different regions of California. The grapes originate from the Rhone Valley in Southern France and are a genetic cross between two obscure varieties, Mondeuse Blanc and Dureza. Currently, France boasts over half the world's total Syrah acreage. However, winemakers have had great success growing the grapes in Australia and the United States (California ).

Syrah (or "Shiraz" to the Aussies) is Australia's most important red variety, and Penfold's Grange is the country's most famous Syrah wine. The many "old vine" vineyards in Australia attest to the country's long, successful history with the Syrah.

Syrah acreage has grown dramatically in California and Washington State within the last decade, with California seeing the most growth. Syrah has found a home in California's warm and cool climates, as the variety adapts well to different growing conditions.

We believe that Sonoma County's Bennett Valley is one of the premier regions in California for growing Syrah grapes. Baldassari Family Wines' 2004 Syrah grapes were grown in this cooler region at a 1,000-foot elevation.

Bennett Valley, which is situated directly across from Sonoma Mountain, was recently approved by the Treasury Tax Bureau (TTB) as Sonoma County 's newest American Viticulture Area (AVA). An AVA exhibits unique growing conditions. Bennett Valley is unique because of its higher elevation and cooler climate, which cause the grapes to ripen slower, concentrating their flavors. The resulting wine is dark in color, rich in texture, and full of flavor.

Baldassari Family Wines is confident that you will enjoy our 2004 Syrah, a truly unique and outstanding wine.

Salute!

Click here to read about the 2003 Syrah