Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2034
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1999 by winemaker David O'Reilly and Jerry McNally, Owen Roe was established with a mission to craft world-class, terroir-driven wines from the premier vineyard sites of the Pacific Northwest. Named in honor of the 17th-century Irish patriot Owen Roe O'Neill, the winery operates estate facilities and sources fruit spanning both Washington's Columbia and Yakima Valleys and Oregon's Willamette Valley. Owen Roe champions a low-intervention winemaking philosophy, utilizing gentle handling and thoughtful oak integration to articulate the distinctive character of esteemed vineyards such as DuBrul, Red Willow, and Union Gap. The producer is widely celebrated for its nuanced single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, alongside popular and characterful blends like Sinister Hand, Ex Umbris, and Abbot's Table.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Syrah