Syrah is a variety coming on fast, from a few acres to thousands of acres, prompting more than a few questions. Why has the popularity of the variety increased so quickly? And how are we planting it? Is soil relevant? What about clones, spacing and row direction? What will we need to know to determine the wine styles we will create? If you decide you want to plant Syrah, you probably need to know if it is a cool climate or a warm climate variety? What are the origins of Syrah? Did the Romans bring it to France? During the course of this Syrah Symposium, we will hear from internationally recognized speakers on the state of Syrah in the world.
Morning Moderator: Glen McGourty, University of California, Mendocino/Lake County
Distribution, Characteristics and Origins of Syrah ~ Jean-Michel Boursiquot
Western Australia Climates for Syrah ~ John Gladstones
Australian Shiraz Clones~ Michael McCarthy
Syrah: Possible New Virus Problems ~ Andrew Walker
Australian Shiraz: From Workhorse to Icon ~ Richard Hamilton
Syrah in California: Grape Supply and Wine Demand ~ Mike Fisher
Afternoon Moderator: Rhonda J. Smith, University of California Cooperative Extension, Sonoma County
California Beginnings, Syrah and Sirah ~ Robert Brittan
Central Coast Syrah: Preferred Clones, Harvest Maturity, Wine Style, Climate, Soils and Management Practices
Central Coast Panel:
Robert Lindquist, Signe Zoller, Dean DeKorth and Ian Shepherd
Tannin and Polymeric Pigment Development in Syrah ~ Douglas O. Adams
Learning How to Grow Shiraz in the Central Valley ~ Bryan Anthony and Adam Richardson
North Coast Syrah: Preferred Clones, Harvest Maturity, Wine Style, Climate, Soils and Management Practices
North Coast Panel:
Sarah Pelkan-Gott, John Caldwell and Doug Danielak
Syrah: Clonal Variation in Vines and Wines in McDowell Valley ~ William Crawford
Why Does Shiraz Shrivel? ~ Michael McCarthy
Closing Comments ~ Merilark Padgett-Johnson