In 2002, the year PS I Love You executive director Jo Diaz began keeping records, there were some 60 growers and producers of Petite Sirah (PS) in California. Now, owing in part to her tireless efforts, Ms. Diaz may proudly count in excess of 126 growers and a staggering 723 producers in the state. Read More
The inaugural year of the Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC), as it was then called, was by turns a blustery and timid affair. Held in Santa Rosa, California, in the fall of 2008, it was the first time wine bloggers from all walks of life, talent and knowledge had the opportunity to come together and share common interests in a collective forum. Read More
Why write about a wine already sold out? Well, as the new kid on the block, Aver Family Vineyards is doing great things. But it is all in small lots. Their 2006 100% Estate grown Petite Sirah 'Blessings' is reason enough to get on their mailing list!
Rich and deep, this wine shows finesse with a lovely balance of dark cane fruit and acid. The tannins are firm, but well rounded. The finish is very long. One of the best expressions of this often poorly served grape in California. Just as Pinotage surprisingly found a home in the Lodi area, the Santa Clara Valley, a historically important wine growing area but lately overlooked, may be among a handful of places where Petite Sirah excels.
Check out the Aver Family! http://www.averfamilyvineyards.com/
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In the land of the free and the home of the brave, no one wants to believe we perform an act, say, purchase a bottle of wine, based on anything but our free will, of our rational sifting of given choices. Read More
Ken Payton is a Palate Press Contributing Editor. Ken lives in Santa Cruz and writes the blog Reign of Terroir....