Hermit Syrah
⏳ Drinking Window
2005 - 2012
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom ragout
✨ Technical Specifications
Named in homage to the legendary hill of Hermitage in the Northern Rhône, Pax's 'Hermit' Syrah is a masterful tribute to classic French winemaking traditions transplanted into the cool-climate terroirs of Sonoma County. The name itself evokes the 13th-century crusader knight, Gaspard de Stérimberg, who sought refuge and built a hermitage on the steep granite slopes overlooking the Rhône River. In crafting this cuvée, winemaker Pax Mahle embraces a similar spirit of devotion and minimalism. Sourced from select cool-climate vineyards, the fruit undergoes traditional whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts, followed by aging in neutral French oak puncheons and concrete. This hands-off approach coaxes out the grape's deeply savory, wild, and rustic nature, showcasing notes of cracked black pepper, smoked meats, and dark brambly fruit.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 2000 by Pax and Pam Mahle, Pax Wines is an acclaimed artisanal producer based in Sebastopol within Sonoma County, California. Recognized as a pioneer of the New California wine movement, the winery focuses on cool-climate coastal terroirs across Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Pax champions a minimalist, old-world approach to vinification, utilizing whole-cluster fermentation, indigenous yeasts, and aging in neutral French oak and concrete tanks to preserve purity and freshness. The estate is widely celebrated for its benchmark, savory Syrah bottlings—such as the Sonoma-Hillsides and Alder Springs Vineyard designations—as well as dynamic, terroir-driven expressions of Gamay, Chenin Blanc, and heritage varieties.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Syrah