24 Dec Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Doctor’s Orders 2022 Grenache-Syrah, Toro Canyon, Santa Barbara County

At first glance, this wine tells one story. It is a vibrant purple in the glass, with color and sediment clinging stubbornly to the cork. But the first sip tells another. Dark and brooding on the nose, yet surprisingly light, lifted, and endlessly drinkable on the palate. From the first taste to pairing it with dinner, I knew the Doctor’s Orders 2022 Grenache–Syrah from Toro Canyon in Santa Barbara County was destined to be the Please The Palate Wine of the Week.

About Doctor’s Orders

Dom O’Reilly grew up in the Willamette Valley, raised among the barrels at Owen Roe, the winery co-founded by his father, David O’Reilly. From an early age, vineyard visits and cellar work were part of daily life, instilling both curiosity and a clear-eyed understanding of what works, and what doesn’t, when you grow up in a wine family.

Studying philosophy at Thomas Aquinas College led Dom south to Ojai. It was a place that would shape both his worldview and his winemaking, especially under the mentorship and guidance of Adam Tolmach at Ojai Vineyard. The region’s dramatic contrasts – hot temps in Upper Ojai, cooler temps in Lower Ojai, steep diurnal shifts, and wildly varied soils – captured his imagination. Working with Adam exposed him to an experimental, hands-on approach that encouraged questioning conventions rather than following them.

From 2014 to 2020, Dom honed his style at Topa Mountain Winery, where freedom to experiment and “get nerdy” led to wines that resonated strongly with younger drinkers. Consulting work in Australia and New Zealand added a more classical perspective, but by then his personal direction was clear.

Doctor’s Orders officially began with the 2016 vintage, followed by a planned launch that included wine and cider that would be available at Whole Foods. That was until COVID reshaped everything. What emerged instead was a tasting-room-driven model focused on small production, direct connection, and accessibility. Keeping wines under $40 became a guiding principle, ultimately leading Dom to farm his own vineyards so quality could remain high without passing excess cost on to the consumer.

Across Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, Doctor’s Orders focuses on minimal intervention, sustainable farming, and expressive varieties, particularly Grenache. Dom’s philosophy prioritizes clean, flaw-free wines, careful use of sulfur, extended aging in neutral vessels, and clarity over extraction. The same ingredient-first mindset carries through Fermentation House, his collaborative project with his wife Anna, producing not only wine but also dry ciders and fermented teas.

Tasting Notes of the Doctor’s Orders 2022 Grenache-Syrah, Toro Canyon

This equal-parts Grenache–Syrah comes from Toro Canyon, between Montecito and Santa Barbara. The grapes are picked at the same time and co-fermented with 15% whole cluster and extended aging in neutral barrels. The wine opens with a striking electric inky purple color and purple sediment attached to the cork. The nose is dark and expressive with aromas of blackberry, black pepper, and sweet spices.

On the palate, the wine surprises. Despite its depth of color and aroma, it drinks with lift, freshness, and textured acidity, balancing robust red and dark fruit with elegance rather than weight. A peppery Northern Rhône character from the Syrah, subtle green herbal notes from Grenache, and soft mint on the finish add complexity and length.

Food Pairing

Dom makes wines that are food friendly and this wine is a perfect example. It can be paired with grilled rack of lamb or a spicy mushroom dish. Regional Sales Manager Eric Phanngavong suggested beef larb so that is what I tried. And it was a great pairing. The wine was a nice compliment to the ground beef with fresh mint, lime, and onion. The wine did not overpower the dish nor get overpowered by the food. Instead, it was a harmonious pairing that I enjoyed very much.

Where To Purchase

The Doctor’s Orders 2022 Grenache–Syrah from Toro Canyon, Santa Barbara County retails for $30 and can be purchased directly from the winery at Fermentation.House.