Eberle Winery Syrah Steinbeck Vineyard 2019

Viticulture

Syrah was not widely known in the U.S. in the 1970’s. Gary Eberle secured the bud wood from U.C. Davis originally propagated from Chapoutier’s plantings in Tain-l’Hermitage, France. He planted twenty acres of this Syrah clone at the Estrella River Vineyard in 1975 and became the first winemaker to produce a 100% Syrah varietal wine in the U.S.

Howie Steinbeck, vineyard manager at Eberle, partnered with Gary Eberle in 1982 to plant Steinbeck Vineyards. The Syrah block was planted 1991 on its own roots with cuttings of the original Estrella clone from the Estrella River Vineyard. Today, it is one of the largest and oldest Syrah vineyards in California.

Vinification

The Syrah and Viognier grapes were hand-picked, sorted, and de-stemmed at the same time. The two varieties co-fermented in stainless steel for fifteen days. The must was pumped over twice a day and after fermentation, the wine was transferred to 15% new French oak barrels, 10% new American oak, 10% new Hungarian Oak, the remaining portion was aged in neutral oak. The wine was aged for fifteen months prior to bottling.

Tasting notes

“Blueberries and blood,” is what Gary says, but a more genteel description would be “Old World” style: earthy and spicy, enhanced with “New World” fruit. Aromas and flavors of black plum, blackberry, sweet tobacco, violet, and a hint of oak.

Winery Description

Driving Force Behind the Wine Industry in Paso Robles

Gary Eberle is one of the pioneers of the wine industry in Paso Robles. He was part of a small group of early winemakers that lead the charge to get Paso Robles certified as an appellation, while at the same time establishing his own winery. Gary was fascinated by Syrah, which was not yet planted in California. Based on the seedlings of California State University, Davis owned that had been grown in Chapoutier, Gary began planting clonal lines of Syrah in the field of 20 acres. The wine released in 1978 was the very first 100% Syrah in the United States. Wineries from all around became aware and gradually his new attempt, as a premium wine-producing area of the Rhone-based blend, Paso Robles has established its position today.
"For me, making wine is about elegance. I pay attention to detail. As I like to say, my science background gets me through harvest, but it's my artistic side that helps me in blending and creating beautiful wines." - Ben Mayo, which is also the winemaker. We regard wines as a work in progress never-ending winemaking.