Collection: Syrah

Syrah may have been introduced to France during the Crusades, where it went on to achieve well-deserved global acclaim—especially in the Rhône Valley. From there, it spread across the globe.

In Italy, Syrah first appeared in 1828 in the grape collection of the Mantuan ampelographer Giuseppe Acerbi. In 1868, Baron Mendola included it in his grape variety catalogue, and by the end of the 19th century, wines made from Syrah were being produced in nearly every Italian wine region.

The variety was widely used in Tuscany, where it added color and weight to often pale Chiantis. In Cortona, in the eastern part of the region, Syrah now has its own DOC—and one of its finest interpreters in Stefano Amerighi. Another important area where Syrah was successfully cultivated from early on is around Alcamo, just south of Palermo. There, its resistance to heat has ensured its continued cultivation to this day. One standout producer is Aldo Viola, who has planted several hectares on the Feudo Guarini—a north-facing, limestone-clay site. His Guarini Plus is now considered a benchmark for Sicilian Syrah.