Syrah is one of the most adaptable varietals, suitable for both warm and cool growing regions and both rocky mountainous and fertile valley floor soils. Wherever it is grown, Syrah dramatically expresses the personality of the place with its unique and variable flavor profile. In 2004, grapes from our mountain-side Nuns Canyon vineyard, growing high above the fog line on the Sonoma Valley side of Mount Veeder, ripened first and were characterized by firm tannins as well as sweet blueberry and ripe black cherry flavors. The tiny valley floor Fahey Syrah vineyard, near the winery in Sonoma Valley, ripened shortly after with lush strawberry and mineral flavors, along with a soft, rich mouthfeel. The Feeney Syrah, from the cooler Russian River Valley, ripened last and was characterized by the white pepper, plum and tart cherry pie flavors typical of cooler climate Syrah. Petite Sirah from the Zichichi Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley was also selected for this blend, and contributes aromas of chocolate and coffee along with a deep black color and tannic intensity. All grapes were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks and were then aged in new, one and two year old oak (95% French, 5% American). We selected a high percentage of older oak barrels for this blend in order to allow the wine’s intense fruit flavors to shine.

Wild Oak Cabernet Sauvignon shows the complementary llqualities of mountainside vineyards in diverse locations. The pinnacle blocks at Lagomarsino Vineyard provide generous power and luscious mouthfeel. The red volcanic soil and high altitude climate of the Nuns Canyon Vineyard give firm structure, along with dark color, rich berrylike character, and ample tannin. The McCoy Ranch in the Mayacamas Mountains offers intense Cabernet and firm, chewy Merlot; another Merlot component comes from the Behler Vineyard’s superb Block 8. A touch of Sonoma Valley Malbec further deepens the color and expands the texture and finish. This is an ideal table wine—big, aromatic, firmly structured yet soft, and approachable.

Wild Oak Chardonnay is a crisp yet full-bodied chardonnay that offers plush fruit in a clearly Burgundian context. The blend draws on outstanding sections of eight vineyards in diverse parts of Sonoma County, including the St. Francis Estate in Sonoma Valley. About one-third is from the Yamakawa Vineyard in the wind-chilled Carneros-Sonoma AVA, which lends a high-toned purity and lemon chiffon flavor with bracing acidity. Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and Russian River Valley impart floral overtones, a touch of tropical fruit, and pinpoint acid balance, all finished with a wonderfully creamy texture and the butterscotch-vanilla undertones from French oak.

Wild Oak Old Vine Zinfandel is classic Sonoma County Zin from some of the most venerable plantings of California’s Heritage grape variety. About a third of the wine is bright, berryinflected Zin from Nuns Canyon Vineyard, on a volcanic ridge high above Sonoma Valley. Another large component comes from the century-old Pagani Vineyard, a traditional Italian “field blend” or mixed planting (also including Alicante Bouschet) that yields exceptionally dark-hued, intensely flavored Zin (“I call it Zin Plus,” says Tom). Other old Zin and Petite Sirah vines in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley contribute richness, exuberant fruitiness, and juicy acidity.