For decades, the Bien Nacido Vineyard has been a highly sought-after site for Syrah in Santa Barbara County. We’ve been lucky enough to work with two of its best sites, X Block and Z Block, for several years now. X Block was planted in 1973, originally to own-rooted Riesling, and Z Block was planted in 1992, making these the oldest Syrah vines that we work with at Piedrasassi. The age of these vines causes them to ripen slower and keep potential alcohol levels lower, and all fruit at this vineyard site is farmed biodynamically.  

Year in and year out, we find our Santa Maria Valley Syrah to be the most elegant and restrained of the lineup. High-toned aromas of red fruits, cherries, and sweet spice lead to juicy flavors of pomegranate, raspberry coulis, pine, and a touch of white pepper on the palate. Softer, silkier tannins give way to a refreshing, acid-laden finish. In 2019, only 306 cases of Santa Maria Valley Syrah were produced.