Villein Syrah Russian River Valley 2018

Devotion is defined as the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal. As long-time grape growers, Paul & Lynn O’Neill know the feeling of devotion all too well. Farming is not for the faint of heart, and the O’Neills are no strangers to the hard work and dedication necessary to grow excellent fruit. Their connection to the land has deepened with each harvest since planting vines in 2003. Paul and Lynn consider themselves modern-day villeins of their property named Walker Vine Hill. In medieval England, villein was a title assigned to peasant farmers tied to the land they tended for feudal lords. For the owners of Villein, the debut 2018 vintage of Syrah pays tribute to the unique terroir and micro-climate of the land to which they are so faithfully servants.

Many outstanding Russian River big hitters recognize their fervent stewardship for the Syrah vines on their land. Wineries such as Arnot Roberts, Bedrock, Pax, and Revik source grapes from Walker Vine Hill and have done so for nearly 20 years. Rolling hills dot the 10-acre property and trap the evening fog, keeping the grapes cool at night. Vines are planted on the southern facing slopes, allowing the sun to warm the clusters all day. This sweeping shift in temperature is the perfect combination for growing Syrah in California that mirrors the old-world Rhone style. In alignment with their ideals of supporting the land, The O’Neills employ sustainable farming practices with deficit irrigation (watering only during certain stages of plant growth). These growing techniques impact the style of wine and ensure healthy soil for the next generation.

While selling fruit to wineries over the years, the O’Neills met and forged a friendship with local Sonoma winemaker Cody Sapieka. Cody gained experience in wine working on the team at Joseph Swan Vineyards, in many roles, and currently as the General Manager. His understanding and mastery of the Russian River AVA come from growing up in the region and the numerous vintages making 30 different wines with Joseph Swan. In 2018, the friendship evolved into a partnership with the establishment of Copaly Cellars, standing for COdy, PAul, and LYnn. Excess fruit from the plentiful harvest allowed the three to make the delicious Villein Syrah in your glass today.

The 2019 Villein Syrah is all about expressing terroir, and therefore, the winemaking is minimalist in style. Picked in early October of 2018, the grapes fermented with native yeast as 25% whole cluster over 21 days. In maintaining low intervention, Cody aged the wine in six French barrels (of which only one barrel was new) to impart more delicate, nuanced oak. After 18-months, the wine was bottled (unfined and unfiltered) with only 125 cases produced. The wine’s nose is full of perfectly ripe blackberries and blueberries with a hint of black pepper spice. This Syrah offers up more of those dark and blue fruits with mocha and savory notes on the palate. The tannins are softly textured, paired alongside balanced acidity that results in a rich, well-rounded finish. As tributes go, Villein’s 2018 Walker Vine Hill Syrah is flawless praise for the vineyards and land the team lovingly tends.