The Black Bear Block is a 3 ½ acre block planted on its own roots in 1978. Named for the black bears that live around our vineyard, the Black Bear Block was the first Syrah vineyard planted in Santa Barbara County and is now the oldest remaining Syrah vineyard on the Central Coast. 

The 2018 vintage of our iconic Black Bear Block Syrah is one with a salient significance – what our Zaca Mesa family affectionately deems its “vine-iversary.” This year marks the 40th birthday of our renowned Black Bear Block and one can surely taste the gratitude we feel for these hardworking vines with every dedicated sip. With a seductively blended bouquet of vine-ripened blackberry, nutmeg, and black olive tapenade, this complexly layered wine takes you on a captivating crusade. The tannins are supremely silky and round, cascading across the palate with persistent flavors of muddled black raspberry and clove. Dark in both color and fruit characteristics, this striking beauty could lie in the treasures of your cellar for a few more years or be decanted an hour before a special dinner celebration.