History
The Kerschner family, Mary-Ann and Jim, planted the acre in 2000 with a peppery Rhone selection of Syrah; the fruit has always gone to Pax Mahle, first for Pax, then Wind Gap, and now his Pax Wines label under a long-term lease. Pax credits Majik as monumental in relearning the limits of ripeness for Syrah in west Sonoma County.
The Site
The vines stand high on a north-facing hill in the Sebastopol Hills, due west of downtown Sebastopol on sandy Goldridge soil, adjacent to the Nellessen vineyard that shares its Pax connection. The cold aspect and vigorous vines push flavors toward pepper and umami rather than weight.
Vines and Blocks
One acre of Syrah, Clone 7, the Rhone selection cleaned up at UC Davis.
The Wines
Pax's Majik Vineyard Syrah is made whole cluster in neutral puncheons, lands around twelve percent alcohol, and reads more like a Northern Rhone hillside than a California ridge: white pepper, olive and iron off one hand-tended acre.