The dominant red wine grape we can successfully grow in Philo is Pinot Noir. For most other reds we must purchase grapes from a warmer viticultural climate where Cabernet, Zinfandel, Syrah and Grenache ripen successfully. Most of Navarro's grapes for these varieties are from vines planted more than a half-century ago. These older vines typically bear a modest crop—an important factor for fine wine production—and seem to possess more character than many modern vineyards. Dark Horse's plantings are relatively recent, yet we feel this vineyard yields grapes that produce the best Syrah and Grenache that we've found in Mendocino.

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