Sashi Moorman is amongst the most celebrated winemakers of the “New California Wines”. His work with Raj Parr at Domaine de la Cote and Sandhi have been heralded throughout the world. The delicate, terroir driven... Read More

Sashi Moorman is amongst the most celebrated winemakers of the “New California Wines”. His work with Raj Parr at Domaine de la Cote and Sandhi have been heralded throughout the world. The delicate, terroir driven Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays they produce together have been lauded the world over and are served at the best restaurants from Tokyo to Paris.

While these wines are among our favorite Cali bottles, our love for the Northern Rhone and all things Syrah has found us gravitating towards Sashi's home label, the Syrah-centric Piedrasassi. Founded in 2003, Sashi coaxes some of the elusive qualities that make Syrah so compelling. Flavors and aromas of roasted meat, violets, and black pepper are present in all of the cuvées, with none of the candied fruit and milk chocolate stuff that mar so many Cali Syrahs.

Their wines are cultivated in the transverse valleys of Santa Barbara County. In the vineyard, the team at Piedrasassi picks a bit earlier than their local Santa Barbara County colleagues to keep the alcohol levels in balance with flavor and to preserve the natural acidity of the fruit. Moorman employs some whole-cluster inclusion, indigenous yeast fermentation, and no sulfur added at fermentation, remaining as natural as possible without compromising the integrity and stability of the wine.

Through their delicate and thoughtful process all the way from harvesting to bottling, Piedrasassi has been able to create a delicious Syrah with a purity of fruit so rarely seen this side of the Prime Meridian. This is true of all their wines including the tiny amount of Mourvedre we were able to get our hands on. All three wines are delicious and accessible upon release but like the world’s other great wines, they will only become more compelling and pleasurable with time. We are proud to offer these wines and are grateful to Sashi and his team for their delicious wines and their outsized contribution to the reputation of California’s wines.

If you ever find yourself in Lompoc make sure you stop by their tasting room and bakery. You can taste wine from all three labels Sashi makes as well as bread made by Melissa Sorongon, some of the best you will find anywhere. Sashi and co have created a temple to the beauty of California’s bounty.