Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage release, as it develops beautiful tertiary complexity with age.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah is steeped in the very history of Washington State viticulture. Red Willow Vineyard, located in the far western corner of the Yakima Valley, was the birthplace of Washington Syrah when grower Mike Sauer, inspired by Master of Wine David Lake, first planted the variety here in 1986. The Chapel Block itself is named after the iconic, hand-built stone chapel that stands atop a steep, rocky ridge overlooking the vines. This block's ancient, nutrient-poor soils and dramatic south-facing slopes force the vines to struggle, resulting in low yields of highly concentrated fruit. Owen Roe crafts this wine with minimal intervention, utilizing traditional fermentation and aging in French oak to preserve the vineyard's unique signature. The resulting Syrah is a masterclass in balance, marrying rich dark fruit with savory nuances of smoked meat, cracked black pepper, and a distinct stony minerality reminiscent of the Northern Rhone.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1999 by winemaker David O'Reilly and co-founder Jerry Owen, Owen Roe is a highly acclaimed Pacific Northwest winery dedicated to producing exceptional, terroir-driven wines from Washington and Oregon. Named after the historic 17th-century Irish patriot Owen Roe O'Neill, the winery operates its estate vineyard and production facility at 309 Shipley Rd, Granger, WA 98932, United States, in the heart of the Yakima Valley, while sourcing fruit from legendary sites like DuBrul, Red Willow, and Seven Hills. Owen Roe's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention, utilizing small-batch fermentations and meticulous French oak aging to craft expressive, structurally complex wines. They are particularly celebrated for their bold, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, northern Rhône-style Syrahs like Ex Umbris, and creative blends such as Sinister Hand and Abbot's Table. More information can be found on their official website at https://www.owenroe.com.