Rocinante

The Rocinante Syrah is a collaborative effort between winegrower, E.J. Neil, and winemaker, John Vowell, from start to finish.  The partnership began with the joint development of Palindrome vineyard and the best small lot winemaking techniques to match the unique character of the fruit.

E.J. Neil is responsible for grape growing and the day to day operations of Palindrome Vineyard, which sits atop a volcanic hill on the east side of Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County.  The deep, well-drained red soils and unique hilltop climate are ideal for producing full, concentrated flavors in Syrah grapes.  The hilltop aspect of the vineyard bathes it in gentle morning sunlight and protects the vineyard from the harsher late afternoon sunlight.

Being close to the Russian River and the cooling fog of the ocean, Palindrome vineyard benefits from the very warm ripening heat of the Dry Creek Valley and the cool evenings of the Russian River.  The wide temperature swings from day to night (frequently as much as 50 degrees) allow Syrah to ripen with beautiful lush flavors without losing the acidity necessary to give a great wine vibrancy, balance, and ageability.

John Vowell winemaker of Rocinante Syrah, has been obsessed with winemaking since he was in high school, when he would experiment with fermenting a wide range of local fruits.  Although he pursued engineering and finance degrees in college, John always lived in thriving winegrowing regions and went out of his way to gain exposure to the different winemaking styles in each region by volunteering as cellar and harvest help in the local wineries. 

In 2000, John and his wife Susan decided to move to Saint Helena in the heart of Napa Valley and he threw himself fulltime into winemaking and the wine business.  “I was fortunate to be able to immediately work with winemakers like Philippe Melka at Seavey Vineyards and Nils Venge at Saddleback Cellars.  Even though I studied winemaking at U.C. Davis and Napa Valley College, there’s nothing like learning stylistic nuances from the best winemakers in California.”  John adds, “The best part about winemaking is figuring out ways to bring out the ultimate expression of flavor that our vineyard offers each year.  When somebody asks me what the best wine I’ve made is, I always tell them that it will be the next one.”