Grab a Glass | Tom Pierson
Q&A with Winemaker Tom Pierson on Bricoleur's GSM
Hi, I'm Tom Pierson, winemaker at Bricoleur Vineyards. Today I'm sharing a bit about some of my favorite varieties we grow at Kick Ranch: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
For someone who's never heard of a GSM, how would you describe it in plain terms?
A GSM is a fun and approachable blend with roots in the south of France. The name is simply an acronym of its three key grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Originating in France's Rhône Valley, this trio creates a balanced, medium- to full-bodied wine best known for its rich fruit flavors, earthy spice, and smooth structure.
What drew you to making a GSM, and what excites you most about working with this blend?
It really started with the decision to grow all three varieties at Kick Ranch. Our owner, Mark Hansen, came to the winemaking team inspired by the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and he was passionate about producing a GSM that honored that tradition.
What I love is how distinctly each variety contributes to the final wine. Grenache brings strawberry, raspberry, and a little spice. Syrah adds depth and structure, and it thrives out at Kick Ranch. Mourvèdre has been a particularly fascinating variety to work with. The clusters are large, and it consistently delivers this remarkable spice: cardamom, cinnamon, tannin, and structure. It's the component that really makes you stop and say "aha."
Can you walk us through what a blending session actually looks like? Is it methodical, instinctive, or somewhere in between?
Absolutely both. We have our graduated cylinders and calculators out, working through ratios and building a kind of sketch of what we want to achieve with the three components. For this first vintage of the 2023 GSM, our founding winemaker Cary Gott was clear that Grenache should be the leading component, so that was our starting point.
From there, the art is finding the right balance. Someone once told me that when blending, you're looking for that sweet spot where the mid-palate begins to fill out, and that's become one of our guiding principles. I'd call it equal parts art and science.Grenache can be light and juicy on its own whereas Syrah can be plush and earthy. Together, they let us express so much more from our site and from this time-honored combination of grapes.
What's one thing you wish wine drinkers understood about blended wines?
I'd encourage people to think about a blend the way they think about a great dinner-party bottle. You might reach for a Grenache with one dish and a Syrah with another, but a GSM is likely to work across a broader range of foods and occasions. We've taken the core attributes of each varietal and layered them together, and I think that's what makes a blend so exciting to share with friends.
These 2023 wines are produced with very little new oak, and they show a lot of bright, spicy fruit with real restraint and elegance. They'll open beautifully in the glass over an hour or two, and they're built to age gracefully over time. If you haven't explored Grenache, Syrah, or a GSM before, I encourage you to pick one up. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Cheers!
