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It's our intention to let Syrah shine, and the best Syrah comes from places off the beaten path, where vines are influenced by entire ecosystems. Be it mountainous, coastal or nestled against a living and breathing forest, we see these vineyards as lying on the fringe. And we consider the fringe a thrilling place to be. Thus, we call these destinations Fringe Vineyards, and our mission is to seek them out.
Why Fringe Vineyards?
- They are ideal for growing highly expressive Syrah.
- FV are on the outlying tracts of American Viticulture Areas. Away from the valley floor and miles of monoculture wine lands, they are hidden in the hills, incorporated into small farms and along backroads. They take a bit of hunting to find. We like the hunt.
- These vineyards are in closer concert with the wild world and are naturally, by their very location, struggling to survive. Vines like this make the best wine.
- They are organically and/or biodynamically farmed. Pre-war farming good. Agrichemicals bad.
- Aesthetically, FV remind us of the way grape-growing has been practiced for centuries. Done by people slightly mad who celebrate the cycles of nature more than the artifices of man. And we like the smell.
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Our Block: Bradford Mountain
We gotta keep it real on this one, ya'll. This block of Syrah lies 800 feet up, 1.9 miles from the main road (the main road being a windy, country road that's basically one lane) and 485 steps from Mike's front door. We go down there and just chill sometimes with the kids and wives and dogs and friends. Find us there at sunset.
Block Stats
Elevation 800 feet
Orientation Southeast
Acreage 2
Trellising Vertical Shoot Positioning
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Farming Love
One of the most respected growers in the county, Javier Acevedo (we call him Senior) has been farming this ranch since 1978. Planted in 1998, this nine-year-old block has been farmed organically for the past two years. This sweet spot is one of the coolest Syrah vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. Literally cool. 14-miles-from-the-ocean cool. Walked 243 times this vintage |
