Bob Lindquist was the founder of Qupé and is one of the pioneers of Syrah in California. Bob took cuttings from vineyards that trace back to the Chapoutier vineyards in Hermitage (very famous) and planted them, along with his partner Jim Clendenon of Au Bon Climat, to form the Bien Nacido Vineyard, one of the most famous vineyards in California. The first Syrah Qupé was released in 1982, and when he sold the Qupé brand and its then current releases 36 years later in 2018, he retained the winery he co-owns with Jim Clendenon as well as his vineyards. The Lindquist Family Wines brand, then, picks up where Qupé left off, with the same winemaker, vineyards and winery. This Syrah pulls from Bien Nacido, the Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard in Edna Valley and the Martian Vineyard in Los Alamos Valley. Martian and Sawyer Lindquist are certified biodynamic and Bien Nacido is certified sustainable. The wine is 85% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% Grenache, all from cool climates, fermented with around 10% whole clusters to enhance aromatics, and aged in neutral French oak barrels in order to not interfere with those aromatics. This wine has all the hallmarks of cool-climate Syrah: ripe dark berry fruit, spice, smoky meat and pepper.