Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyard is one of the pioneers of the Santa Barbara County wine scene. He founded Au Bon Climat with Jim Clendenen, then moved on to start Ojai in 1983. To this day, he has never grown past the 6000 cases he makes each year in three makeshift, temperature-controlled barns in the backwoods of Ojai. By choosing to work strictly with cool climate vineyards and paying growers by the acre, Adam ensures himself control of the farming and the yields. He makes elegant, aristocratic wines and has been at the forefront of the growing movement of American winemakers to make more balanced wines, prizing finesse over power. Ojai Vineyard is one of California's best kept secrets, though one Corkscrew customers have known for many years!

The Santa Barbara County Syrah is brimming with dark black fruits tinged with notes of earth, balsamic and a distinctly Rhône-like hint of olive tapenade. The palate is ample and sumptuous, with a great concentration of fruit flavors — blackberry and plum — accented with notes of mocha, dark chocolate and black pepper, guiding you to a suave, elegant and lengthy finish. Drink now for that gorgeous fruit, or hang on to a few bottles and see how it evolves. This is a wine that can age for 20+ years!