Neyers Sage Canyon Red 2010

This first ever Rhone varietal blend from Neyers Vineyards combines organically-farmed Grenache from the Sierra foothills; Mourvedre and Carignane from 130 year-old vines grown in northeast Contra Costa County, near Oakley; and Syrah from the Sonoma Coast. In the tradition of Rhone wines, each varietal seems to add a component that makes the whole much more than the sum of its parts.

The grape varietals used to produce red Rhone wines --- Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignane -- are not widely planted in California. They're demanding to grow, the yields are small, and the wines are difficult to produce. Finding vineyards planted to these varieties in California is rare. Finding vineyards that can produce the high quality, properly farmed fruit necessary for the Rhone-styled wine Neyers had in mind became the search for a viticultural holy grail. Until now, our search has been both frustrating and unproductive. After years of countless vineyard visits and grower interviews, however, we've finally assembled a collection of sources that provide with enough of each of these four grapes to create this Rhone-styled blend named after the road the winery is on -- Sage Canyon.