Pinto and Billo Naravane have been wine enthusiasts since “forever." They are avid wine collectors and oenophiles. After working almost two decades in the Computer Industry, they finally ditched it all. Pinto and Billo took the plunge to go completely native in the wild, cut throat world of wine making. The Naravane brothers formed Rasa Vineyards in 2007 with the goal of producing ultra-premium, terroir specific wines.

The brothers detailed their inspiration for the Principia by saying "

Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage 1989 and 1990; Guigal’s La La wines (La Landonne, La Mouline, and La Turque) 1978, 1985, 1990, 1991; Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon and L’Ermite 1990, 1991; Chave Hermitage 1990, 1991; and many vintages of Penfolds Grange are some of the best Syrahs we’ve been fortunate to taste. These are reference point wines. They inspire us.

In 2007, we wanted to make a small amount of reserve Syrah, just 3 barrels. We didn’t want to use “Winemaker’s Reserve” or “Artist Series” to depict our reserve wine because it’s been done to death. So, we decided on calling our reserve line the Celebrate Excellence series. The idea is to celebrate something profound that changed the way we look at things. Since we already had a math/science theme with QED, we decided to stick with it. Paul Gregutt, wine critic, happened to be visiting with Billo to taste our wines and talk about what we were doing. He suggested calling the wine Principia to honor Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica first published in 1687. The Principia is a seminal work that changed the way we view the natural world. Newton’s laws of motion form the basis of classical mechanics – the study of bodies in motion. The Principia stands as testament to the genius of Newton. It also stands as inspiration to mankind that with our minds we can achieve unbelievable things. Each year, we change the graphic on the label. I’m geeky enough to go through the Principia every year to pick out a new formula to put on the label. My brother Billo thinks I’m crazy because I spend days trying to understand the stuff (and then forget it shortly thereafter). The wine is always 100% Syrah from multiple vineyard sources."

Varietal: Syrah

Region: Walla Walla, Columbia Valley, Washington