How Do Vineyards and Climate Shape Syrah Flavor and Style?

Posted on: October 28th, 2025 | Posted in: News

Compare Three Distinct Washington Syrahs

If you love the depth and savory complexity of Washington Syrah, you’ll enjoy the chance to compare three distinct Washington Syrahs, each sourced from a celebrated AVA that reveals how site and climate shape the grape’s expression in the glass.

Across the Columbia Valley, Washington’s diverse growing regions and wide-ranging microclimates give winemakers the opportunity to highlight Syrah’s many personalities, from plush and dark to bright and lifted. At Novelty Hill-Januik, we make three single-vineyard Syrahs, each from a distinct AVAs: the Royal Slope, Red Mountain, and Yakima Valley.

Novelty Hill Stillwater Creek Vineyard Syrah (Royal Slope)
Januik Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah (Red Mountain)
Januik Boushey Vineyard Syrah (Yakima Valley)

Together, they tell the story of how vineyard, climate, and elevation offer three distinct expressions of the same grape.

Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Royal Slope

Perched along the Frenchman Hills, Stillwater Creek is Novelty Hill’s estate vineyard and the cornerstone of its winemaking program. The site’s steep, south-facing slopes and diverse Syrah clonal selections yield wines of striking color, depth, and complexity.

The Syrah from Stillwater Creek consistently shows deep, saturated colors, aromas of smoked meats and roasted coffee, and a core of dark berry fruit. On the palate, it’s polished and richly textured, offering a contemporary, fruit-forward expression that retains balance and freshness thanks to the site’s higher elevation and cooling nighttime temperatures.

Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, Red Mountain

Red Mountain is Washington’s warmest AVA and one of its most celebrated growing regions. Long, sunny days and well-drained soils create powerful, age-worthy Syrahs with concentration and structure.

Januik’s Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Syrah captures the essence of this renowned site with ripe purple fruit, hints of jam, and a generous, juicy mid-palate accented by pepper and spice. The tannins are firm yet refined, lending the wine impressive length and dimension. This is Syrah at its most opulent—full of character, intensity, and energy.

Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain in Washington State

Boushey Vineyard, Yakima Valley

At the other end of the spectrum lies Boushey Vineyard, one of Washington’s most respected Syrah sites. Farmed by acclaimed grower Dick Boushey, this cooler-climate vineyard in the Yakima Valley produces wines that emphasize freshness and finesse over power. Januik’s Boushey Vineyard Syrah brims with red fruit—fresh berries, cherries, and red currant—lifted by bright acidity and framed by a leaner structure. The result is an elegant and food-friendly Syrah, offering a lighter-bodied style that rewards those who appreciate nuance and purity.

Three Vineyards, One Grape, Infinite Expression

Tasting these wines side by side is a study in contrast and harmony. Stillwater Creek reveals the smoky depth and polish of Royal Slope fruit; Ciel du Cheval delivers Red Mountain’s signature power and spice; and Boushey showcases the cool-climate vibrancy that defines Yakima Valley.

Together, they illustrate why Washington State is home to some of the most compelling Syrah in the world and why vineyard sourcing matters as much as the winemaker’s hand.

Visit our Woodinville winery to taste Novelty Hill and Januik Syrahs for yourself or shop our Syrah collection.

Wine	Flavor Profile	Structure	Overall Character
Stillwater Creek Vineyard (Royal Slope) Novelty Hill Syrah	Dark berries, blackberry, blueberry with notes of smoked meats, coffee, and cocoa	Polished tannins, balanced acidity	Deeply colored; seamless and rich
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (Red Mountain) Januik Syrah	Purple fruit, plum, and cooked jam accented by pepper, spice, tea, and game	Full-bodied, firm tannins	Powerful yet refined; long, structured finish
Boushey Vineyard (Yakima Valley) Januik Syrah	Red fruit, berries, and red currant with herbal and savory undertones	Lean frame, high natural acidity	Lively, elegant, and food-friendly

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