$53.99 at Crush Wine & Spirits in Bryant, Arkansas (AR)
100% Syrah. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels – 5% new oak and 95% 10-year oak.
Blueberry, fig, cooked red fruits, and bitter chocolate on nose and palate. Pepper on finish.
The origin of Mira Winery took place in 2005 when owner Jim “Bear” Dyke, Jr., and winemaker Gustavo Gonzalez met in the bar Off the Record at the Haye-Adams Hotel. They talked about their idea of a premier Napa Valley winery: 100% varietal, accessible, and approachable. They wanted to be a boutique winery with a focus on vineyards. In 2009, they sourced their first grapes which they released in 2012. “Mira” is the Latin root for miracle. The philosophy of Jim and Gustavo is winemaking is a miracle in nature. The Mira logo is the symbol for good harvest.
Gustavo Gonzalez has been a winemaker for over 20 years with experience in Napa Valley and other California appellations as well as other parts of the world including Italy, France, and Argentina. He grew up in California’s Central Valley surrounded by family with ties to the grape agricultural business. He originally went to college intending to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. When he changed his studies to literature and philosophy, he noticed that wine throughout history came up in those subjects. In 1995 he joined Robert Mondavi Winery where he worked for 17 years. He established the Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon as one of the leading Napa Valley Cabernets by consistently receiving Wine Spectator ratings of 95 or higher. He also built a reputation for making great new world Sauternes and Pinot Noirs. One of his greatest accomplishments was being responsible for making the 2001 Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Masseto Toscana Rosso which received 100 points from Wine Spectator. Gustavo’s strong relationships with leading Napa Valley growers has been a key element in Mira’s access to some of the valley’s premier vineyards.
Jim “Bear” Dyke, Jr., built his 30-year career as a political consultant in Washington, D.C., for several Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, politicians, and political campaigns, including five presidential campaigns. He reached such heights as serving as Communications Director for the Republican National Committee, Press Secretary for U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, and Communications Advisor to President George W. Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. In 2005, Jim established his own consulting firm, Jim Dyke and Associates which later became JDA Frontline. Jim is committed to establishing Mira as a leading producer of single vineyard wines from Napa Valley.
Mira now owns 16 acres in Napa Valley and just opened a winery and hospitality house on a property just south of Yountville. In addition, to their own vineyards, Mira has associations with several grape growers and has access to some of the finest vineyards, including two superstar vineyards. Schweizer Vineyard one of the oldest in the valley that has been a continuous vineyard site. Originally planted in the 1800s and has been owned by the Schweizer family since 1956. It is a 40-acre vineyard in the heart of Stags Leap district producing all Cabernet Sauvignon. Hyde Vineyard is one of the premier vineyards in the cool-climate Los Carneros AVA in Napa Valley and produces some of the finest Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah grapes. Larry Hyde began planting it in 1979. It is now a 200-acre vineyard.