Washington Syrah continues to grow in popularity

Syrah grapes at Angela’s Vineyard, one of two estate sites on Red Mountain for EFESTĒ in Woodinville, Wash., await to be harvested. (Photo by Andy Perdue/Great Northwest Wine)

Washington Syrah continues to defy conventional wisdom.

Across America, Syrah is a tough sale, thanks primarily to Australia Shiraz flooding grocery stores the past decade.

Yet Syrah continues to grow in Washington. Last fall, Washington winemakers brought in more than 21,000 tons of Syrah, a record level for the state. Syrah certainly plays an important role in Washington red blends, but it stands alone pretty well, too.

Syrah is most famous for being from France’s Rhône Valley. It’s a relative johnny-come-lately in Washington, having first been planted at Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley in 1985. Since then, it has caught the imagination of winemakers and fans alike, growing to become Washington’s No. 3 grape, following only Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in acreage and tonnage.

Here are a dozen delicious examples of Washington Syrah (and a couple of Idaho examples) we’ve tasted lately. Ask for them at your favorite wine merchant, or contact the wineries directly.

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