2021 My Father's Vineyard Syrah

“My dad and my husband Joe planted this Syrah vineyard around my parents’ home in 2002.  My dad does all the discing on his John Deere tractor and Joe does the rest!  Before the inaugural vintage of 2006 we thought about what to call the vineyard and this new Dutton Estate Winery Syrah.  Joe’s idea was to call the vineyard, “Mi Siguero Vineyard” which is “My father-in-law’s vineyard” in Spanish... hence “Joe’s father-in-law”.  But everyone kept asking what Mi Siguero meant!  When the translation was said in English, the name of the vineyard did not have a connection to our brand – it felt too distant, and required too much in-depth explanation.  It was obvious to me what the name should be!  One Christmas we surprised my dad with the first inaugural case… he had no idea what wine he was opening.  He was so surprised and touched when he pulled out the first bottle and saw the label, “My Father’s Vineyard Syrah.”  -Tracy Dutton

5 Stars - Restaurant Wine

THE VINEYARD

Dutton Ranch farms more than 80 separate vineyards in the Russian River Valley. Multi-generations and a love of the land are at the center of everything we do at Dutton Estate. This vineyard designated Syrah is a perfect example. The vineyard was originally Tracy Dutton’s father’s property and is now managed and farmed by Joe Dutton, his son-in-law. The soil there is perfect for Syrah with moderate drainage and an average depth of 25-40 inches plus a base of old valley alluvium from mixed sedimentary, volcanic ash, and rock sources. It is a certified Sonoma County SustainablyFarmed and Fish Friendly vineyard

THE WINEMAKING 

The fruit from My Father's Vineyard was hand-harvested in the middle of October and cold-soaked for 3 days. The fruit was punched down twice daily during the cold soak period and during primary fermentation. The wine then aged for 18 months in 50% new American oak.

TASTING NOTES 

The nose begins with dark, rich notes of ripe cherries and chocolate as well as some varietal typicity of leather and tobacco. There's a slight touch of mint as a result of the American oak. A bold, full -bodied wine, this Syrah is rich and smooth through to the finish with its powdery tannic structure. Dark, ripe fruit flavors, mostly cherry, are echoed on the palate that mingle with tobacco, fennel, and other spice notes.