Chapter III · The Rhône Rangers · 1990s
Syrah · Grenache · Mourvèdre
Warm days, cold nights, wild herbs on the slopes. Pour the Rhône spirit of the Sierra tonight.
Mountain fruit from the slopes of the Sierra Nevada — brambly black and red fruit, olive tapenade, pepper and Provençal herbs, with a lift of crushed granite.
The Chapter
In French, côtes are the slopes and hillsides where the great Rhône wines are grown. We didn’t have to look far for ours. Sierra Côtes is named for the slopes of the Sierra Nevada themselves — the granite and volcanic hillsides that climb out of the foothills toward the high country, where these vines grow.
Mother Nature named this wine. We only wrote it on the label.
In the 1980s and ’90s, a band of California winemakers — nicknamed the Rhône Rangers — began championing Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, the grapes of France’s Rhône Valley. In the Sierra Foothills they found a natural home: hot days, cool nights and a Mediterranean climate that lets these grapes ripen fully while keeping their freshness.
Today our region grows some of the finest Syrah in California. Sierra Côtes is our tribute to those mavericks — and to the slopes that proved them right.
The Vineyards
Andis Wines Estate
Rancho Victoria
Starfield
Bailey
Kapela
In the Glass
Fruit
Brambly black and red fruit
Savory
Olive tapenade, black pepper, Provençal herbs
Spice
Licorice, nutmeg, baking spices
Texture
Juicy yet briskly balanced, with a mineral lift
At the table
Herb-crusted lamb, ratatouille, grilled sausages
At a Glance
The Wine
Grapes
Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre
Appellation
Sierra Foothills AVA
Soils
Granitic, sandy loam and volcanic
Elevation
1,400 – 3,200 ft
Aging
14 months in French oak
Style
A Rhône-style blend of mountain fruit, ripe yet fresh
The Vintages
Open a vintage to read its notes, vineyards, scores and tech sheet.
Sierra Côtes, meaning “Slopes of the Sierra,” showcases our region’s elegant and robust mountain fruit. Hot days and cooler nights let Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre ripen perfectly while keeping their acidity — a harmonious balance of brambly black and red fruit, with savory notes of olive tapenade, pepper, Provençal herbs and baking spices.
| Critics | 90 WS PDF ↓ |
| Blend | 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre |
| Vineyards | Andis Wines Estate, Rancho Victoria, Starfield, Bailey, Kapela |
| Harvest | September 2 – October 8 |
| Soils | Granitic, sandy loam, volcanic |
| Elevation | 1,400 – 3,200 ft |
| Fermentation | 16 days in open-top fermenters, pumped over morning and evening |
| Aging | 14 months in French oak, 25% new |
| Alcohol · pH | 13.5% · 3.74 |
| Production | 1,450 cases |
Sierra Côtes, meaning the “Slopes of the Sierra,” is an excellent representation of the mountain fruit cultivated throughout our region. Spicy notes of licorice, nutmeg and crushed granite alongside a juicy yet briskly balanced flavor marked by a mineral lift.
| Critics | 91 WE “Hidden Gem” PDF ↓ · 91 JS PDF ↓ · 90 JD PDF ↓ |
| Blend | 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre |
| Vineyards | Andis Wines Estate, Rancho Victoria, Starfield, Bailey, Kapela |
| Harvest | September 2 – October 8 |
| Soils | Granitic, sandy loam, volcanic |
| Elevation | 1,400 – 3,200 ft |
| Fermentation | 16 days in open-top fermenters, pumped over morning and evening |
| Aging | 14 months in French oak, 25% new |
| Alcohol · pH | 14.0% · 3.81 |
| Production | 1,110 cases |
A wonderful expression of mountain fruit: hot days and cooler nights give Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre ideal ripeness without losing acidity. Spicy notes of licorice, nutmeg and crushed granite — juicy, briskly balanced and marked by a mineral lift.
| Critics | 91 WE PDF ↓ |
| Blend | 62% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache Noir |
| Vineyards | Syrah: Andis Wines Estate, Kapela Vineyard · Mourvèdre: Kapela Vineyard · Grenache: Andis Wines Estate |
| Harvest | September 6, 10, 15 & October 9 |
| Soils | Decomposed granite, sandy loam |
| Elevation | 1,500 – 2,800 ft |
| Fermentation | Temperature-controlled steel tanks |
| Aging | 14 months in French oak, 25% new |
| Alcohol · pH | 14.0% · 3.78 |
| Production | 520 cases |
In the Press
91 Wine Enthusiast · “Hidden Gem” 2022 vintage 91 James Suckling 2022 vintage 91 Wine Enthusiast 2021 vintage 90 Wine Spectator 2023 vintage 90 Jeb Dunnuck 2022 vintage
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