South Ridge

Thanks to a series of late winter storms, the 2018 growing season will be remembered as the fourth in a string of normal rainfall years in Paso Robles, with over 70% of this season's rainfall being accumulated in a 3-week period during the month of March. That kicked off a rare vintage of exceptional quality and yield. A nice stretch of warm weather in May assured a good bloom and fruit set on the developing clusters. This was followed by an unprecendented 46 day heat spell, beginning in early July, where we saw an unthinkable 38 days over 100 degrees fahrenheit in the region. This had the effect of shortening the growing season for the early ripening Syrah variety. We have included Roussanne, Viognier and Grenache at various percentages as in previous vintages of South Ridge Syrah. In this 2018 vintage, we like the way Roussanne brings length to the palate, Viognier lifts the aromatics, and Grenache adds a bright fruit quality to the South Ridge Syrah blend.