Serine and Syrah have been tied together for centuries and at some stages in history have been used interchangeably.

We have chosen the name Serine for our wine because of this strong historical association with the syrah grape in France and as it fits with our commitment to making the best Syrah we can in a style which is more in keeping with the modern style of wines from the Northern Rhone than elsewhere.

However the exact linkage of the name Serine (pronounced sea-rin) with Syrah is not exactly 100% clear – there are a few different explanations! There are even other variations such as Serenne.

At a simple level it is simply an ancient name for the Syrah grape.

Then the Americans have a different view and they claim:
“Petite Sirah is a cross between Syrah, one of the world's great wine grapes, and Peloursin, an obscure Mediterranean variety. In southern France it's known as Durif, after the grape breeder who developed it at the University of Montpelier. In the northern Rhone it's called Serine—or, occasionally, Petite Syrah because of its smaller grapes and clusters”.

Back in France it is also claimed that it is simply a clone of Syrah. Some claim it was the name of the original clone from 20 centuries plus ago. Some claim it’s the syrah grape from Cote Rotie but to confuse you further Domain Cullierons makes a Les Serines wine from St Joseph and the Americans claim their Petite Sirah or Serine comes from Hermitage!

Certainly today there are stories, almost mythical, about the quest to taste wine made from true Serine clone or people who claim theirs is the true Serine clone. Almost the Holy Grail of Syrah which suits us just fine.