Stolpman Vineyards, Syrah, "Estate," Ballard Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley, California 2023

Tom and Marilyn Stolpman decided to plant a vineyard after they took a honeymoon trip to Napa Valley. Their focus was on finding a place with limestone soils and maritime influence, which they discovered in Ballard Canyon, in Santa Barbara. Their wines are marked by liveliness, precision and elegance. 

Over the past 25 years, Stolpman has pushed the Syrah envelope, own-rooting vines directly into its Limestone soils at high-density.  Un-grafted, the vines behave maturely within 3-4 years and do not require irrigation.  These own-rooted vines ripen small, concentrated clusters harvested for both ripeness and liveliness, and they deliver a singular expression of Ballard Canyon Syrah.  In pursuit of seamless purity, the winemaking team takes an extremely gentle touch as no force is needed to extract color and richness.

The wine is fermented in open concrete vats and aged in large, neutral 500 L oak casks for about 11 months. Full bodied Syrah, structured and meaty, making it a great pairing for richer meat dishes, duck and other savory dishes.