Each week, I spotlight a wine that truly captivates—whether for its distinctive character, fascinating story, or the sheer delight it brings to the glass. This week’s feature is the 2015 Drew Family Wines Syrah Perli Vineyard, a stunning cool-climate Syrah from the extraordinary Mendocino Ridge AVA in Mendocino County.
Drew Family Wines
Jason and Molly Drew started Drew in 2000 with a clear pursuit in mind: to craft small-lot, cool-climate wines that express site distinction and traditional varietal character. Their moment came when they stumbled upon an old 26-acre apple orchard within the Mendocino Ridge Appellation. While others saw a daunting project in this forgotten orchard, They saw an opportunity for an estate vineyard in teh ancient oceanic soils, south-facing slopes at 1,250 feet elevation—just above the fog line—and a true coastal climate, with the ocean a mere 3.3 miles away. It didn’t take long for them to decide jump in with both feet. The Drew estate winery at Faîte De Mer Farm (which translates to “Crest of the Sea” in French) was born.
I was introduced to Drew Family Wines at an In Pursuit of Balance tasting and immediately became a fan of their balanced, minimal-intervention, cool-climate wines. Their dedication to crafting wines of elegance and site expression left a lasting impression, and I’ve followed their journey ever since.
According to the Mendocino Winegrowers, the Mendocino Ridge is the only non-contiguous AVA in America. It includes vineyards at elevations of 1,200 feet or more within 10 miles of the Pacific Coast. Terrain below that elevation along the Mendocino Coast is regularly blanketed with a cooling fog, which lies beneath this appellation’s ridge-top vineyards. The non-contiguous peaks rise above clouds of fog, seemingly like islands, bringing uninterrupted sunshine to the scattering of small vineyards nestled among a beautiful forest consisting primarily of Coast Redwoods and Douglas Fir trees. The region covers more than a quarter-million acres of mountainous land, but just 238 acres of the entire viticultural area are planted.
The eight-acre estate vineyard at Faîte De Mer Farm was planted to a collection of California heritage field selections, suitcase selections, and several Dijon clones of Pinot Noir. Additionally, two acres of Chardonnay were added, along with a small truffle orchard to complement the remaining 14-acre apple orchard. Faîte De Mer Farm is certified organic, continuing a 30-plus-year tradition of farming to this standard on this site.
Jason Drew is not just a winemaker; he is a true vigneron. With degrees in Agroecology, Viticulture, and a graduate degree in Enology from the University of Adelaide, Jason honed his craft across the globe, working in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Over his three decade, he has worked for several notable Northern estate wineries and vineyards, St. Supéry, Joseph Phelps, Luna Vineyards, Carmenet, Corison and Babcock Vineyards.
2015 Drew Family Wines Syrah Perli Vineyard
The Perli Vineyard, located within the Mendocino Ridge AVA, epitomizes the rugged beauty and unique terroir of this coastal region. Situated 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean at an elevation of 2,200 feet on steep northeastern slopes, this 23-year-old vineyard is meticulously farmed by Steve Alden. As the Drew website explains:
“The McDowell selection is notable as it is the oldest field selection of Syrah in North America, brought into California to the San Jose Mission in 1880 and later planted on the McDowell Ranch in Mendocino County in 1902.”
The Drew team sources both the McDowell selection and the 877 clone from this site, crafting a Syrah that is as storied as the land itself.
Tasting note: Deep garnet color with blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, violets, olive tapenade, damp earth, cured meat, and a hint of orange peel aromas. On the palate, it’s on the lighter side of medium-bodied with bright mouth-watering acidity and fine-grained velvety tannins, with blackberry, black currant, boysenberry, blueberry, black olive, peppercorn, savory spice and a hint of orange zest flavor with very appetizing savory notes and a long finish. 13.9% abv|SRP – $45|92pts
From the rugged coastal slopes of Mendocino to your glass, Drew’s wines are a reflection of dedication, heritage, and a deep connection to place. For Jason and Molly, it’s never been just about making wine; it’s about telling the story of the land, one vintage at a time.
This wine embodies everything I adore about cool-climate Syrah—it’s deliciously complex, beautifully structured, and wonderfully savory. The Drew family suggests pairing it with slow-roasted lamb shank or a hearty mushroom bourguignon. Yes, please!