Syrah is boss in the Ballard Canyon AVA of Santa Barbara County. And there, bottles of estate-grown and -produced Syrah are debossed, “BALLARD CANYON” stands proud on the glass above the label. Beckmen Vineyards Syrah, and other varieties, have grown in Ballard Canyon for almost twenty years longer than the region has been an AVA (established in 2013).

Beckman Vineyards’ estate vines in Ballard Canyon comprise the Purisma Mountain Vineyard. The steep and undulating vineyard rises to 1,150 feet and offers several different aspects to the sun. Gravel studs its thin clay and clay loam topsoil, which sits atop vigor-retarding limestone. The old vines are small, all the grapes compact and concentrated.

Beckmen Vineyards farms Purisma Mountain biodynamically. With 365 total acres and 125 under vine, it’s the fourth largest Demeter-certified vineyard in California. Harvests are at night, by hand, capturing the fruit when it’s cold and highest in acidity. Pickers only take bunches which are perfectly ripe. Multiple passes over several days are necessary.

The reviews below are of samples Beckmen Vineyards sent my way recently. I’ve appreciated their wines for years though. I was in their wine club for several years, long before I started writing and teaching about wine.

Reviews of Beckmen Vineyards Syrah and Grenache

2017 Beckmen Vineyards Syrah Purisma Mountain Vineyards, Ballard Canyon 91+ 14.8% 750ml $32

This deep purple wine exudes the aromas of ripe black cherry with nuances of black licorice, charred wood, and blackberry. In the mouth, it has medium-plus body with moderate, fine-grained and delicately chalky tannins. The flavors, powerful but disciplined, begin with chewy black cherry and ripe black plum, then reveal dark mineral, grilled herb, and blackberry syrup. Balance between fruity and savory aspects is excellent. This Beckmen Vineyards Syrah is also a deft a conversationalist, it’s complex flavor profile changing tone and emphasis instantly as you try it with different foods. 1,400 cases. Drink now through 2027.

2017 Beckmen Vineyards Grenache Santa Ynez Valley 90+ 15.0% 750ml $32

A red-colored and red-fruited wine, this 100% Grenache proffers appealing aromas of wild cherry, raspberry, dark flowers, cocoa, and baking spice. Fine-grained tannins with a touch of grip frame generous flavors of bing cherry, dark chocolate, ferrous mineral, and baking spice. Body is medium-plus and, while the wine is lovely with food, it carries itself lightly enough to drink on its own, especially with a very light chill. Drink now through 2025.

Copyright Fred Swan 2019. Photos courtesy of Beckmen Vineyards. All rights reserved.

About the author: Fred Swan is an Oakland-based wine writer, educator, and event sommelier. He’s written for GuildSomm.com, Daily.SevenFifty.com, The Tasting Panel, SOMM Journal, PlanetGrape.com, and other outlets. Fred teaches a wide range of classes at the San Francisco Wine School. He’s founder/producer of Wine Writers’ Educational Tours, an annual, educational conference for professional wine writers. He also leads seminars, private wine tours, and conducts tastings, dinners, and events for wineries, companies, and private parties. Fred’s certifications include WSET Diploma, Certified Sommelier, California Wine Appellation Specialist, Certified Specialist of Wine, French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Professional, Napa Valley Wine Educator, Northwest Wine Appellation Specialist, and Level 3 WSET Educator. He’s twice been awarded a fellowship by the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers.