“Clary Ranch is a stunning hillside planting in the heart of the Petaluma Gap near Tomales Bay. Paul Clary took a big risk in 2000 when he planted Pinot Noir and Syrah in this extremely cold and windy site. The ranch is now owned and tended by Drew Beuchley and the same crew that has worked these vines since they were planted. The Coast Range Mountains in Northern California run parallel to the coastline but take a sudden dip and nearly disappear around Bodega Bay in Sonoma County. It is at this point that cool air over the Pacific Ocean is drawn inland via convective forces through the Petaluma Gap, moderating the climate in this entire section of the Sonoma Coast. Our coldest vineyard for Syrah, Clary has been harvested as late as November 18th at under 12% alcohol. The protracted growing season paired with the sedimentary clay-loam soils slow the ripening and allow us to farm without irrigation resulting in fruit that is deeply pigmented and loaded with flavor. The resulting wines we have made exhibit soaring aromatics, expressive exotic spice notes, and high natural acidity that are hallmarks of this wind scraped vineyard.” – Arnot-Roberts
“The 2019 Syrah Clary Ranch is a powerful, driving wine that is going to need time to be at its very best. Red-toned fruit, rose petal, spice, lavender and blood orange are some of the signatures. The Clary Ranch is among the wines in this lineup that is marked by the decision to pick 7-10 days earlier than originally planned because of approaching fires. That turned out to be a smart decision, because waiting just a few days would have resulted in a total loss. The 2019 will require time in bottle to soften, which it did start to do with few hours of aeration.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
