An Approach to Relaxation

USA born sommeliers Richard and Carla Rza Betts have a long-running love affair with Château Rayas, which seems to be a bit of a theme with several of our Garnachista winemakers. During many miles and a fair amount of travel around the globe, they always kept their eyes open for the sandy terroir and cool climate that give that benchmark Grenache a certain je ne sais quoi. Their search came to an end in Vine Vale, where they discovered a 150+ year-old Grenache vineyard (The Rza Block) set on sandy soil in one of coolest microclimates in the Barossa Valley. The vines are dry farmed, head-trained and grow on their own roots. From this tiny vineyard they make their Sucette Grenache. Winemaking is low-touch, a little whole bunch, fermented in open-top fermenters. Grapes are basket pressed to old French oak and left to do their own thing, to preserve all the nuances this lovely old site imparts on the fruit. The result - an elegant but ample, sexy and delicious bottle that the couple say finds it's way onto their table rather frequently!