Syrah 2019

The Stillbones Syrah is grown in the scenic hills of Waiheke Island and pays an homage to the French Rhone Valley by commingling with a small amount of Viognier. Syrah, the crowned jewel of the island, is known for distinct notes of fresh-cracked pepper, dark berries, and plum. Our wild fermented beauty has a bit of funk, earthy smoke undertones, and is a lighter, easier-drinking style than your typical full-bodied Syrah.

Where the forest and vines meet the ocean and sea breeze, Waiheke Island is a place of magic filled with vineyards, olive groves, and beaches a bounty.

Our Waiheke Syrah is grown in vineyards on the northeast side of the island, where the soil is fertile, and the temperatures are cool. A large portion of our Syrah grapes are co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier whole clusters and goes through an initial wild fermentation in steel vat. Our juice then spends 14 months in barrel (25% new French oak & 75% old French oak), where it undergoes a secondary wild malolactic fermentation giving it rich and complex characteristics.

From a small-production, boutique winery, Stillbones has the New Zealand-approved seal of sustainability for good wine-making practices in both the vineyard and winery. Our wine is dry farmed and follows New Zealand’s world-leading guidelines for managing soil, waste, and climate change.