Syrah vines first arrived in the United States around 1878, but just as in Australia the variety remained in the shadows for a very long time. It was in the 1970s that Syrah began to grow in popularity in California thanks to a group of winemakers known collectively as the "Rhône Rangers". These lovers of Rhône varietals made names for themselves by focusing on Syrah. Today, Syrah is the most widely planted Rhône varietal in California. In ten years, Syrah tonnage has gone from 1,200 tonnes in 1992 to more than 147,312 tonnes in 2005, or 4% of the state’s total grape tonnage . In 1996, California had less than 600 hectares of Syrah; in 2004, there were more than 6,600 ha.

While most Syrah is planted are in California, Syrah acreage in Washington state (Yakima Valley) has grown rapidly since being introduced in 1985. Syrah is also found in southern Oregon.

In the United States, both Syrah and Shiraz are used to identify this grape. Commonly considered a “noble” variety, it is particularly suited to making age-worthy red wines.  

Syrah has adapted perfectly to the Central Coast, the Sierra Foothills and the South Central Coast in AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) such as Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande and Santa Maria Valley.