Beckman Vineyards, Santa Yynez, California

In 1994 Tom Beckmen and his family bought 40 acres in Santa Ynez, California, and began turning out nice Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Syrah. Then they stumbled onto the chance of a lifetime--a 365-acre Santa Barbara ranch abutting the acclaimed Stolpman Vineyard. They called it Purisima Mountain and started experimenting with all kinds of Syrah and Grenache clones, according to Steve Beckmen, Tom's winemaker son, who thinks their new Syrah will make "the greatest statement of what we can do." He modestly attributes their success to "a blessed area and a blessed climate." He's less modest about their "pretty unlimited hope for the future."