Shadow Canyon Cellars

Shadow Canyon Cellars is a premium boutique producer of Rhone style wines along with Cabernet and Pinot Blanc. Owned and operated by Gary and Armida Gibson.

Their vineyard is situated close to the ocean at 1,600′ elevation in the York Mountain Appellation. Cool fog and ocean air is drawn in from the coast at night and burns off in the morning. This cooling effect provides a longer growing season which lends intensity and character unique to coastal hillside vineyards. Surrounded by oak forests, Shadow Canyon is one of only a handful of vineyards located in the York Mountain Viticulture area which was established in 1983.

Approximately 8 miles from the coast in the middle of the Templeton Gap, the corridor running West to the ocean which has a significant affect on the York Mountain growing region. Warm days yield to cool nights as the fog rolls in from the ocean. Temperature swings from the 80’s and 90’s during the day to the 40’s at night are common. The cool night air slows the vines maturation, allowing for a long growing season.

The York mountain terroir is ideally suited to growing Syrah. Five different syrah clones were chosen to add complexity to the finished wines. The clones were matched with rootstock to ensure the highest quality fruit. Fruit is hand pruned and hand harvested. We closely monitor the vines throughout the year, dropping imperfect clusters and only harvesting the healthiest grapes. Typically, yields have been kept down to around 2 tons per acre.