Piedrasassi PS Syrah

Winemaker Sashi Moorman and his wife, Melissa, have been making great, restrained, Northern Rhone-style Syrah in Lompoc, CA since 2003 under the Piedrasassi label. The focus of Piedrasassi’s wine program is cool-climate Syrah. Sashi & Melissa believe that good Syrah can be made at many sites in Santa Barbara County, but it is at the cool climate sites that Syrah is at its most compelling; producing the most complex aromas and the most savory textures.  The vineyard sites for Piedrasassi range from Ballard Canyon in the east to the Santa Rita Hills and Arroyo Grande in the west.  In the vineyard, the team at Piedrasassi picks a bit earlier than their colleagues to keep the alcohol levels in balance with flavor and to preserve the natural acidity of the fruit. In the winery, Moorman employs some whole cluster inclusion, indigenous yeast fermentation, and no sulfur added at fermentation, remaining as natural as possible without compromising the integrity of the wine. Elevage is in 500L barrels to limit the wine’s exposure to oxygen and to minimize the influence of oak.  The Syrahs from Piedrassasi showcase the grape more than most other California wineries, and their “PS” Syrah has been a shop favorite for years.  Perfect around the fire!