Winemaker Notes
Notes of olallieberry, white pepper, cedar, green olive, cinnamon, candied walnuts, and chocolate dusted acai berries.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This label by Winemaker Curt Schalchlin might one of the Central Coast's best bang-for-the-buck bottlings on the market today. The Syrah impresses right away on the nose, with hints of nori wrap, soy, cracked pepper and singed tobacco set against wild berry and dried thyme. The palate's sizzling acidity carries flavors of fresh berry, fennel frond and thyme-laced pepper.
Editors' Choice -
Jeb Dunnuck
Another terrific effort is the 2017 Syrah, which spent 15 months in neutral barrels. It has cool-climate notes of blackberries, ground pepper, sappy flowers, and hints of bacon fat. Medium-bodied, elegant, and juicy on the palate, it's California's answer to a top Saint Joseph.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: After my recent introduction to the Groundwork Wine Company, I am hopeful that other Central Coast wineries will follow their lead. The 2017 Groundwork Syrah deftly combines power with finesse. TASTING NOTES: This is thrilling Syrah showing balance and restraint. Its pretty aromas and flavors of ripe black fruit wrap pleasingly around the palate and should pair deliciously with an enticing grilled well-marbled ribeye. (Tasted: May 21, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.