Fifteen years ago, we set out to make the ultimate Syrah. ÜBER is a co-fermentation of all the top Santa Barbara County Syrah vineyards we work with, consisting of 6 different vineyards and is mainly from our Estate (five clones), Black Oak (two clones), Rancho Boa Vista (three clones), Zotovich and Watch Hill. As each parcel of fruit arrives at the winery, approximately 10% of each pick and each clone is separated and added to the ÜBER fermenter. Three of the Estate clones are co-planted with 5% Viognier

Vineyard Regions: Los Olivos District, Los Alamos, Sta. Rita Hills, and Ballard Canyon

Vintage Conditions: 2019 was an outstanding vintage.  It was a very cold winter and a very mild spring and summer leading to slow maturation and long hang times for increased complexities.  Harvest was much later in the summer which allows us to harvest under kinder cooler conditions – there were essentially no heat spikes which tend to cause drama and we have a no drama policy.

Maturation: This wine was matured for 16 months in 63% new Ermitage French oak barriques.  The wine was never racked until it was bottled. Unfined and unfiltered.

Color: Deep, concentrated dark red and black notes.

Aroma: Aromas of dark brambleberry, fennel, black licorice, rhubarb, pink and black peppercorn, thyme and grilled meat. Sinister notes of earth, tobacco and leather mix in the background.  

Palate: Very concentrated but impressively resolved and sublimely smooth on the palate.  Rich, round and full-bodied with gobs of dark red and black fruits. Hints of cocoa powder, leather, black olive and other Mediterranean spices weave harmoniously together.