1999 Christopher Creek Estate Bottled Petite Sirah

Christopher Creek is a family-owned, boutique winery in Healdsburg. It was started in 2012 when the Foppoli family and a few business partners acquired a winery that included 11 acres of Syrah and Petite Sirah old-vine vineyards. Also included were 15 acres of old-vine Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chardonnay vineyards. The Foppoli family planted roots in California winemaking five generations ago when Giuseppe Foppoli made private-label wine in North Beach San Francisco and sold it to select restaurants and clubs.

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

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.