Following in the footsteps of legendary Californian “Rhône Rangers” like Bob Lindquist (Qupé) and Randall Grahm (Bonny Doon), Jeremy Weintraub of SITE is all about the grape varieties traditionally associated with France’s Rhône Valley: Syrah, Grenache, Roussanne, Viognier…he does it all, and he strongly believes that the Central Coast is the place to do it. It’s as if these varieties, and the superlative vineyards they hail from, have been hiding in plain sight—even though magnificent Californian interpretations of each have existed for decades. It’s appropriate that SITE is in ALL CAPS: It’s like an exclamation point, an assertion that these varieties not only have a place in California but demand to be recognized. 

This Grenache (actually 81% Grenache with a touch of Syrah and Viognier) is sourced from the Larner Vineyard in the Ballard Canyon AVA, a site with fine sandy soils over limestone bedrock. It has an inky purple hue but is lighter on its feet than its hue would suggest, with lots of violet florals and hints of wild fennel and herbs. Luscious candied strawberry, black raspberry, and red cherry fruits coat the palate, but the wine has impressive poise and buoyancy which prevents it from feeling syrupy/heavy. Serve at 60 degrees in Burgundy stems with something you might cook for an old school Châteauneuf-du-Pape.