Railsback Frères Bien Nacido Vineyard Sans Soufre Syrah Santa Maria Valley 2020

Railsback Frères is a labor of love - brotherly love. Eric and Lyle Railsback are brothers who both went off separately to make names for themselves within the wine world. Eric worked as a sommelier in great restaurants like Osteria Mozza and Michael Mina's RN74. After a decade of restaurant work in most of the major cities in California, he returned home to Santa Barbara to help open Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant while also launching his first wine label, Lieu Dit. Lyle has worn many hats as well. He leads regional sales for the esteemed wine importer Kermit Lynch while also designing wine labels on the side. Both brothers have individually been nominated for 40 under 40 Tastemakers - needless to say, they are a prolific pair. With two blooming careers, both Lyle and Eric felt a need to converge their two paths and work together. And thus, Railsback Frères was born. Their wines are inspired by the brothers' travels through Southern France and the classic producers that they explored along the way. 

Some of their favorite wines in France come from the Northern Rhône appellations of Cornas, Côte-Rôtie, and Hermitage, where the Syrah grape reigns supreme. The 2019 vintage of Syrah was inspired by Northern Rhône greats like Thierry Allemand, Auguste Clape, and Gerard Chave, and sourced from the Bien Nacido vineyard in the agricultural heart of the Santa Maria Valley. One of the coolest growing climates in California, the 2019 was sourced from the steepest “Z-block,” giving the wine lots of tension. Brambly and bright, this wine ticks all the boxes. Bursting with notes of boysenberry and blueberry fruits, and the classic black pepper spice of Syrah. Take this wine on your next picnic and transport yourself to the hills of Cornas!