Wine Enthusiast
Wine Predator
Biodynamic syrah: taste beauty and the beast in a bottle
Three exceptional Syrahs demonstrate the power of biodynamic farming and high-elevation viticulture to produce wines of remarkable complexity and aging potential.
The vineyards are at 2,800 feet—an elevation which allows grapes to ripen without getting too hot or high in alcohol.
The vineyards are at 2,800 feet—an elevation which allows grapes to ripen without getting too hot or high in alcohol. This extreme elevation provides dramatic diurnal temperature swings that preserve natural acidity while allowing for full phenolic ripeness.
Winemaker Erich Bradley, co-founder of Sojourn Cellars, farms the estate organically and regeneratively with minimal intervention in the winery. Native yeast fermentations, no added sugars, and neutral oak aging allow the mountain terroir to express itself fully.
The 2021 Syrah earned 95 points from Vinous and 93 points from Jeb Dunnuck, who noted: "This is one classy Syrah that will evolve gracefully for 10-15 years." The wine demonstrates what Bradley calls "tension"—concentrated dark fruit balanced by mineral freshness and natural acidity.