2019 Syrah, Cockburn Vineyard
Student Winemakers — Class of 2018: Annie Martz (Dusted Valley), Ellie Davidson (Sleight of Hand Cellars), Ari Nickolisen (Oregon State University), Bailey Bromiley
With the rise of Rhône varieties in Washington, we are delighted to be able to teach multiple Syrah styles to our students. The fruit from Cockburn Vineyard lends itself to a rich, fruit-forward, South Australian style of Syrah.
From Great Northwest Wine (Dec 7, 2016)
While some of the credit goes to instructors Tim Donahue and Sabrina Lueck, the success of College Cellars wines starts with growers. In this case, it’s Cecil Zerba family, who owns Cockburn Ranch Vineyard and donated this lot on Sept. 18, 2014. Attractive aromas of black currant, blackberry and dark chocolate lead to a round and rich drink of Marionberry, boysenberry and Devil’s Food cake. Underlying notes of banana chip and lavender add to its amazing complexity and balanced structure. This earned a gold medal at the 2016 Walla Walla Valley Wine Competition and the equivalent honor at Wine Press Northwest’s “affordable reds” judging. And the students who deserved an “A” on this project were Craig Johnson, Devin Schell, Hannah Thorning (now at Gramercy Cellars) and Brad Binko, now owner/winemaker of Eternal Wines and Drink Washington State.
