2020 Sterling Vineyards Calistoga Petite Sirah

Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga was founded in 1964 by Peter Newton, an English businessman and journalist. The first commercial vintage was the 1969 Merlot. Ric Forman was the winemaker for the early vintages, which were made in a Bordeaux style. In 1977 the estate was sold to Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and in 1983 it was purchased by Seagram. Today the estate owns more than 700 acres and makes a large portfolio of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Riesling and Pinot Grigio.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

Despite its popularity, this grape is quite rare. Less than 10,000 acres are planted worldwide, with the bulk in California. In France, the grape is referred to as Durif. Not to be confused with Syrah, Petite Sirah is a cross of Syrah and Peloursin. The result is darker and fuller.