Black Rock Vineyard Syrah
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
Sourced from the rugged, high-elevation Black Rock Vineyard in Washington's Yakima Valley, this Syrah is a compelling expression of the region's dramatic volcanic terroir. The vineyard is defined by its harsh, rocky basalt soils and arid climate, which force the vines to struggle and produce small, intensely concentrated berries. Winemaker Ryan Crane employs a low-intervention approach, utilizing concrete fermenters and neutral French oak to preserve the pure, wild character of the site. The resulting wine is celebrated for its savory complexity, weaving together notes of dark bramble fruit, smoked meats, cracked black pepper, and a distinct mineral, crushed-stone undertone that reflects its basalt origins.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2007 by winemaker Ryan Crane, Kerloo Cellars takes its name from the echoing call of the sandhill crane, symbolizing Crane's calling to craft authentic, terroir-driven Washington State wines. After studying viticulture and enology in Walla Walla and honing his cellar craft at Forgeron Cellars and Va Piano Vineyards, Crane built Kerloo around meticulous fruit sourcing from esteemed, sustainably farmed vineyard sites spanning the Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, and Columbia Gorge. His cellaring philosophy prioritizes minimal intervention, foot-treading, native fermentations, neutral oak, and concrete maturation to highlight purity of site and varietal transparency. Kerloo built a devoted following for its cool-climate Rhone-style expressions and vibrant single-vineyard bottlings, including Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay, Boushey Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, and single-site Grenache, Syrah, and Grenache Rosé from benchmark crus like Upland and Painted Hills.
🍇 Grapes
Syrah