The name Californio pays tribute to the early California settlers, or Californios, who brought Old World sophistication and elegance to the western shores of the New World. As descendents of the early Californios, the Hyde and de Villaine families strive to produce a Syrah that highlights one of California’s premier growing sites, Hyde Vineyard, while embodying the elegance of the families’ Old World heritage.

Hyde Vineyard experienced a long, cool growing season in 2011. The unseasonal rain in April and May delayed flowering and set, resulting in a slow start to the growing season. What followed was a cool summer, providing slow and steady fruit maturation. Early October rains made 2011 one of the most challenging vintages of the last couple decades. However, through tireless sorting and weeks spent in the vineyard, we are proud to say 2011 was a successful vintage, giving us wines of finesse and elegant power.

Subtle and focused, this wine shows an array of exotic spices, layers of violet, wet earth, cigar box and round black fruit. The full mouth feel is enhanced by the balancing presence of acid and soft tannins. This vintage of Syrah is cellar worthy but can be enjoyed now with the proper food pairing.

– Stéphane Vivier, Winemaker, HdV Wines