Syrah Cuvee Keltie
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from the vintage.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted rosemary lamb, grilled venison, wild mushroom stew
✨ Technical Specifications
Named in honor of Pax and Pamela Mahle's daughter, Cuvée Keltie represents the pinnacle of Pax's exploration of cool-climate California Syrah. This cuvée is not tied to a single vineyard but is instead a meticulous barrel selection of the most powerful, structurally complex, and savory Syrah lots from acclaimed, wind-swept sites across Sonoma County. Embodying a deeply traditional, Northern Rhône-inspired philosophy, the wine is crafted using 100% whole-cluster fermentation, foot-treading, and native yeasts, followed by extended aging in neutral French oak puncheons. The result is a dramatic, multi-dimensional red that balances wild mountain berries with classic savory elements of cracked black pepper, cured meats, and crushed stone, standing as a testament to the heights California Syrah can achieve when guided by restraint and patience.
🍾 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