2006
Santa Ynez Valley
SYRAH
The Harvest
2006 was a very good vintage dwarfed a bit by the 2005 and 2007. Some will prefer the 2006 to the 2007 in that it is a bit more
reserved in its presentation. 2006 also benefitted from the big rains of 2005 in that the root system remained clear of salt
buildup in the soils. With lower annual rainfall overtime, the issue of salts clogging roots can become a problem in terms of
balance in development of the fruit.
Harvest began on October 21 at Westerly Vineyard with clones 174, 7 and 383 followed by more 174 on October 23 and clone
877 on October 27th. Purisima Vineyard harvest took place on November 4 th and 7th.
The Vineyard
Backing up to the lower slopes of the San Rafael Mountains, which loom high above the ranch, Westerly Vineyard, located at
the far eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, is one of the warmest vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. The region is
comprised of ancient upland soils, primarily clay loam, riddled with cobbles of red chert and serpentine. These deposits were
swept down the canyon over thousands of years, then uplifted and weathered for thousands more. The result is shallow, lownutrient topsoil supported by an impervious clay pan that forces the vine roots to grow laterally. In this environment, the vines
are stressed for nutrients and water. Root growth and vine vigor are limited, ensuring smaller vines and low yields—a perfect
combination for the development of intensely flavored grapes in the appellation. Visually, the vineyard is on the demarcation
line where pine trees naturally grow and thus has a different climate than any other area within Santa Barbara County.
In 2006, after several years of careful testing and experimentation, Beckmen Vineyards committed itself to farming
Purisima Mountain Vineyard 100 percent biodynamically. Though the decision to adopt this organic, proactive and
holistic method of farming was quality-based, it also champions a comprehensive, environmentally friendly
approach to viticulture. Based on the pioneering 1920s work of scientist Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic farming offers
a proactive and holistic approach to farming. By treating vineyards as complete and self-replenishing systems,
biodynamic farming naturally builds soil life and vitality, while defending against pests and disease. Often
confused with both organic and sustainable farming practices, biodynamic farming meets the criteria of both, while
focusing on a unique set of eight naturally derived non-chemical soil and plant treatments.
Soil types on Purisima Mountain include clay and clay loam soils of the Linne and Chamise series. However, the
most unique soil variation found on Purisima Mountain is its limestone subsoil. Although typically found in the
great Rhone regions of France, such as Cote Rotie and Chateauneuf du Pape, limestone subsoil is a rarity in
California. Referred to as calcaire in French, limestone is a rock made of calcium carbonate that is not readily
penetrated by plant roots. Vine roots must struggle in the thin topsoil, which is generally 12-36 inches in depth.
This results in less vigorous growing conditions, which in turn produces smaller vines with low yields of intensely
flavored fruit.
The Production
Our goal is always to protect the integrity of our single vineyard designate wines, thus a very intense selection process takes
place prior to bottling. To be clear these barrels were treated with the same integrity that all of our barrels are treated. This
wine is a blend of those Syrah barrels that did not make it into the single vineyard wines. Its composition is 33%Purisima and
67% Westerly. Oh and the back label suggests a one night stand as this wine is simply a dalliance.
14.9%
3.54pH
0.51 mg/l Dissolved Oxygen
570 cases
6.54 g/l
1607 Mission Drive, Suite 307  Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone 8056888799
Facsimile 8056888711
www.arcadianwinery.com
1607 Mission Drive, Suite 307  Solvang, CA 93463
Telephone 8056888799
Facsimile 8056888711
www.arcadianwinery.com