Petite Sirah 2020

Appellation:

Shenandoah Valley

Winemaker Notes:

Our 2020 Petite Sirah was harvested by hand on September 26, 2020 at a Brix of 24.0 and pH 3.43. After gently crushing and destemming the grapes, we hand removed remaining stems from the must to reduce tannins and herbal flavors, fermented and punched-down the wine manually over two weeks, and then gently bladder-pressed it. We chose a yeast that imparts a rich, lush, balanced mouthfeel. Secondary malolactic fermentation took place over the next few weeks and the wine was aged over nearly 2 years, bottled in March 2022. A subtle infusion of French Medium Toast oak was used for balance.

Vineyard Notes:

Our Estate Petite Sirah grows on a steep hillside at 2,000-foot altitude in the granitic and volcanic soil of our vineyard estate in the Shenandoah Valley of the Sierra Foothills. It is grafted on special drought-tolerant rootstock which allows it to dig deep in this soil for water and we dry farm it. It thrives in the warm daytime breezes from the Central Valley and cool Sierra evenings, a 30-degree swing in temperature. We grow the "03" clone, originally from the Kunde Vineyards in Sonoma, expressing aromatics of blueberry and violets with a tannin structure that is more delicate for Petite Sirah.