“I had to go and see the new world Father. I had to stake my claim..."
Born of noble birth in 1880, I knew my Petite feet couldn't possibly follow as you ruled the land of Rhone. "Go west young man" resonated in me. The Missions of California called for me and off I went in search of a new home.
Oh the sunshine! I would rule my own domain and set out to win the west. My, how I loved the excitement of a future in a new state rich with fertile soil and golden hills. California welcomed all and there is where my journey truly began.
Parents long for their child’s return and I felt the pressure. That mercenary phylloxera soon crossed the wide open sea to find me and bring me to my knees. The horrible louse wrecked the land the world over but my vines thrived when others could no longer bare fruit. Raised from Hermitage, you trained me well, for I did not succumb. I am a survivor. Through tenacious perseverance I would lead our new country into the 20th century. Ripe for the picking, the Napa Valley; the world would soon seek.
Your determined Petite prince danced across the hills spreading abundance far and wide. Sadly, our progressive era came to a halt in 1920 when Sheriff Prohibition came to town. He tested my resolve. I was almost crushed but for the sake of the sacrament, I lived on. Still a faithful son to my Coté Rotie, I said to Mother Peloursin; I'll make you proud. Those near and far longed for the toast from which would bring health, happiness and unity. A thick skinned soul I am, I knew it was my duty to set off on an American journey to save our grape nation. I laid rest in hot trains, back rooms and bathtubs but by gosh, our citizens would savor each secret sip until one day in 1933, our country’s worst experiment finally came to an end. A collective cheer was heard cross the land and Petite Sirah was given the crown!
Your noble son was given the key to the kingdom and by 1970 everyone seemed to share my vision. The American dream was alive and well for this wee pilgrim.
Upon the 1970's my true identity was finally discovered. Proud of my noble heritage I am but I wanted to be loved for the hard working American I had become. I'm a a bit elusive today, older and wiser so reserve myself for the very best of bottles. So, I thank you Father Syrah for your discipline, for granting me intrinsic ability to finely weather the years and for giving me great stock from which to grow. I venerate you."
Signed, your noble son, Petite Sirah. An American Heritage grape
Circa. 1884
Petite Sirah - everyone's all-American
The grape was born from a cross breeding of Syrah and Pelourin of the Rhone Valley. These two Rhone grapes were selected for breeding by botanist François Durif of Montpellier France. The pollen from Syrah pollinated the flower of Pelourisin. His intent was to create a grape with many of the attributes of fine Syrah but with a resistance to downy mildew. Originally called Durif, he named it after himself. The grape was later also referred to as Petite Syrah and Petit Syrah as it was often perceived to be a "dwarf" clone of Syrah rather than its own variety. (Lost in translation: Petite speaks to the size of the grape rather than its "Junior" relationship to its Father.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: In America today the Durif and Petite Sirah are considered one and the same but the proper spelling as recognized by the Federal (TTB) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is Petite Sirah with no "Y".
Go west, young man, go west: the journey to California.
Petite Sirah arrived in California in the late circa 1884 as a source for the mission vineyards. A rich grape with ample tannin, it quickly took to the California climate and much like a golden retriever, was a happy go lucky fellow and proved quite adaptable in fact. It wasn't long before vine cuttings were cultivated and planted to vine across many areas of the state.
Like many immigrants, Petite Sirah has lived the tale of an incredible journey. It is an all-American pioneering story of perseverance in every sense of the word. While this narrative may read like a "grape" story Petite Sirah is an epic survivor of the Phylloxera epidemic, Prohibition (1920-1933-our country's worst experiment), the great depression and two world wars; this hearty soul of a grape was fueled by American fortitude and determination.
Petite Sirah once California's most widely planted grape in California is on the rise again.
Petite Sirah reached the height of its popularity by the mid century 1800's. It's plantings were successful and found in all areas of California from the sandy soils of Lodi and Amador to the rich sedimentary soil of the Napa Valley. It thrived as a field blend grape under a plethora of fancy sounding names that did nothing to identify the contents of the bottle. It was also mistakenly bottled as Syrah. Following the end of WWII the new wave of immigrants arrived with cuttings from the old world intent of forging a new life in a land not ravaged by war. They brought with them classic noble grapes of Cabernet, Chardonnay, Syrah and Pinot Noir. Like starlets drawn to the lights of Hollywood these exciting new kids on the block arrived with verve and ambition and pushed the Petite Prince aside. But not for long...
In depth DNA testing in 1972 performed by Dr. Carole Merideth of UC Davis, Enology and Viticulture Department, confirmed Petite's true noble heritage and set the stage for decades of Ampelography research to follow. In 2013 Petite Sirah received its proper recognition as an "American Heritage Grape" for its contribution to the American Wine Industry.
The Graph below provided by the Petite Sirah Growers and Producer Advocacy Organization shows the exponential growth in acreage. For more information or membership information HERE
Today, Petite Sirah is thriving as new plantings are on the rise.
In 2019 Petite Sirah was the 5th most planted grape in California. It's a testament to it's thriving spirit. Global warming is testing the rules of nature. Growers across the state are searching for varieties which can handle the heat in the kitchen and produce great wines under stress. Petite Sirah proves once again, it is adaptable and valuable. Of course it is. After all, its roots run deep in those hills of gold.
Aratas Wine (translation, "a harvest of gold") is a distinguished Napa Valley producer with a dedicated focus on Petite Sirah. Click HERE TO ORDER WINE
Resources:
USDA 2019 Grape Crush Report
Petite Sirah I Love You Advocacy Organization. For information or membership details visit http://www.PSILoveyou.org
Historical Vineyard Society https://historicvineyardsociety.org
