Syrah: The World's Most Misunderstood Great Grape

There are very few grape varieties capable of producing wines that are simultaneously among the most powerful and the most elegant in the world. Syrah is one of them.

In its spiritual home of France's Northern Rhône, Syrah produces some of the world's most profound wines—bottles of haunting perfume, black olive, smoked meat, violets, cracked pepper, and extraordinary longevity. These are wines that have captivated collectors for centuries and rank comfortably alongside the greatest wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux. Yet travel only a few thousand miles, and Syrah becomes something entirely different. In Australia it transforms into Shiraz, producing rich, opulent wines bursting with blackberry fruit, mocha, spice, and seemingly limitless generosity. Along the way, California, Washington, South Africa, Chile, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, and dozens of emerging regions have each developed their own distinctive interpretation of this remarkable grape.

That extraordinary adaptability is exactly what makes Syrah such a compelling study. Climate, elevation, soils, fermentation techniques, oak programs, and even the decision to label a wine "Syrah" or "Shiraz" all leave unmistakable fingerprints on the finished wine. Few grapes demonstrate the influence of terroir—and the hand of the winemaker—as dramatically as Syrah.

Join us as we travel across the globe through one of wine's greatest varieties. We'll taste everything from the savory, pepper-driven classics of the Northern Rhône to the lavish richness of Australia's finest Shiraz, along with outstanding expressions from some of the New World's most exciting producers. Whether you've loved Syrah for years or have never fully understood what all the excitement is about, this tasting promises to reveal why this ancient grape continues to inspire winemakers—and wine lovers—around the world.

Wines to be tasted: TBA.

All prices listed shown are regular retail. Significant discounts offered on all wines at the tasting.

Due to their highly allocated nature, some wines may change without notice.