Drive Syrah Canihan Vineyard 2019

Sonoma Coast
$36 (Wine Club Reorder Price: $32.50)

In 2015, John Musto and Tom Young met at Santa Rosa Junior College’s “Wine Studies” program studying Viticulture and Enology. That fall, they made a barrel of zinfandel from Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley in Tom’s garage. That first wine would go on to win a Silver Medal in the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and a passion was born! Making an arrangement with vineyard owner Pete Lewis, Tom and John exchanged vineyard management for grapes and production space in Pete’s garage. The garage used to restore vintage racing cars inspired the name “Drive Wines”. The wines they made in the garage would go on to win multiple gold and silver medals in amateur competitions.

After several harvests together, John and Tom launched Drive as a professional wine business. In 2017, they produced a Zinfandel from Puccioni Ranch in Dry Creek Valley and in 2018 a Rosé of Zinfandel from Comstock Vineyard, also in Dry Creek Valley. The wines were released in the spring of 2019 and would go on to win Double Gold and Gold medals among the best wines of California. From humble beginnings, through hard work and persistence, the Drive story continues to evolve.

The fruit for this wine is sourced from the Canihan Vineyard, a certified organic, dry-farmed vineyard located in the Sonoma Coast AVA. Direct, daily influence from the Pacific Ocean defines the region, making it ideal for cool-climate Syrah. Grapes were harvested at night, crushed the following morning.

The Syrah was co-fermented with Viognier to add floral aromas and whole-clusters to produce a lighter, brighter wine. Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels. Beautiful violet color; aromas of blueberry and cassis; notes of black currant and strawberry. Great acid and a long finish.

98% Syrah, 2% Viognier. Only 8 barrels were produced.