PRODUCT OVERVIEW / REVIEWS: 

Meaning “Well Born” in Spanish, Bien Nacido was planted on the historic site of the Rancho Tepusquet land grant, a plot of land that was granted to Tomás Olivera in 1837, when California was still a part of Mexico. The Olivera family’s adobe, built in 1857, still graces the estate today – a majestic sentinel looking after the vines.*

One of the oldest cool-climate estates in California and home of the world’s most single vineyard designations, Bien Nacido has been an acclaimed source of world-glass grapes and estate wine since its founding in 1973 by brothers Stephen and Bob Miller, whose vision was to develop a vineyard that would be acknowledged as among the elite vineyards of the world. Four years of hard work and sweat equity led to the original vineyard plantings in 1973.

Since then, under the Miller Family’s stewardship, Bien Nacido has become one of the most coveted sources of cool-climate chardonnay, pinot noir, and syrah in California, if not the world. The combination of remarkable terroir and an incredibly dedicated team who cares for the land enables Bien Nacido’s legacy of exceptional winemaking and grape-growing to further grow with each passing vintage.

Hand-harvested at night and fermented with native yeast and malolactic fermentation. This wine has been aged 16 months in 600-liter French oak puncheons; 45% new. The wine was then bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Co-planted and co-fermented with Viognier, this wine is an homage to the Northern Rhone Valley while remaining quintessentially Bien Nacido. Open today and enjoy the fresh fruit and flowers or age ten years and beyond as this Syrah continues to develop nuanced complexity.

Check out the press!
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: Rated 94 Points
"The 2019 Syrah Estate, which was co-fermented with a splash of Viognier, was made with about 35% whole clusters and matured in 35% new 600-liter demi-muids. It has a deep ruby-purple color and gregarious aromas of blue and black berry preserves, cracked pepper, chargrill and purple flowers. The full-bodied palate has a fine, chalky texture and fresh expression, with detailed aromatic nuances lingering on the finish."

Jeb Dunnuck: Rated 94 Points
"The dense purple 2019 Syrah (99% Syrah and 1% Viognier) is a striking, cool-climate Syrah that boasts a gorgeous nose of ripe blackberries, huckleberries, peppery herbs, cedar, and spice. This carries to a medium-bodied Syrah with terrific overall balance, a round, layered texture, and that rare mix of ripe fruit and stunning purity and freshness. It reminds me of a modern Cornas with its incredible purity yet slightly wild, classic Syrah character."

Vinous: Rated 94 Points
"The 2019 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard confirms my impression that Syrah is the most expressive red wine at the estate. Inky and voluptuous, the 2019 packs a serious punch. A wine of gravitas and character. The 35% whole clusters are pretty much buried by the sheer richness and density of the fruit. The 2019 is a gorgeous wine."

PRODUCT DETAILS:
Producer Name: Bien Nacido Estate
Old/New World: New World
Country of Origin: USA
Region: California
Sub-Region: Central Coast
Appellation: Santa Maria Valley AVA
Grape Varietals: 99% Syrah & 1% Viognier
Vintage: 2019
Product Type: Wine
Wine Style: Full Body Red
Winemaker: Anthony Avila
ABV: 14%
Pack/Size: 12/750ml
Container Type: Burgundy-style bottle
Closure Style: Cork