After becoming one of the most celebrated female golfers in history and making millions in PGA Golf tours, the Swedish born Annika Sorenstam has officially retired and has now entered the wine making world. Her first offering, a 2006 Livermore Valley Syrah from Annika Vineyards, is the result of a brand new collaboration with California's Wente Vineyards. Annika found an ideal partner in the Wente family both for their rich 125-year wine making tradition and the Wente lifestyle. Wente Vineyards boasts a fine dinning restaurant, a Greg Norman designed championship golf course and hosts an annual concert series on the winery's Livermore Valley grounds.

The 2006 Syrah

Released in May 2009, Annika Vineyard's 2006 Syrah is bottled in an elegant black on black bottle with subtle gold writing. The wine is comprised of 75% Livermore Valley Syrah, 15% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Annika personally collaborated with winemaker Karl D. Wente and together they've come up with a delicious wine that highlights her predilection for Syrah's big, rich flavors and is tempered with Cabernet Sauvignon for structure. With hints of blackberry and plum; coffee, toffee and chocolate from the barrel plus clove and cassis from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, this wine leaves a tasty lasting finish.

-- Victor Vargas