Syrah Hop Barn Hill
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted rosemary lamb, venison stew
✨ Technical Specifications
The Hop Barn Hill Syrah is sourced from a steep, south-facing estate vineyard in the Russian River Valley, named in homage to the historic hop kiln that stands on the Martinelli property—a relic from the era when hops, rather than wine grapes, dominated the local agricultural landscape. This dramatic topography ensures maximum sun exposure, allowing the Syrah grapes to achieve optimal ripeness while benefiting from the cooling evening fogs characteristic of the region. Crafted using traditional, minimalist methods including fermentation with wild yeasts and bottling without fining or filtration, this wine is celebrated for its signature power, deep concentration, and complex aromatic profile of dark bramble fruit, cracked black pepper, and savory smoked meat notes.
🍾 About the Producer
Martinelli Winery represents one of the most storied multi-generational viticultural legacies in Sonoma County, dating back to 1887 when Tuscan immigrants Giuseppe Martinelli and Luisa Vellutini first planted vines in the Russian River Valley. The estate's crown jewel remains the famed Jackass Hill—a perilous, non-terraced 60-degree slope planted to historic heritage Zinfandel and Muscat of Alexandria. Across more than 450 acres spanning Russian River Valley and Fort Ross-Seaview, the Martinellis cultivate cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as heritage Zinfandel and Syrah, across Goldridge sandy loam and marine gravel soils influenced by dense Pacific coastal fog. Winemaking emphasizes site fidelity through ambient yeast fermentations, meticulous French oak élevage, and minimal intervention, bottling without fining or filtration. Benchmark bottlings such as Jackass Hill Zinfandel, Three Sisters Chardonnay, and Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir capture rich concentration, vibrant acidity, and profound structural depth.
🍇 Grapes
Syrah
🍷 ABV
14.5-15.8%