A Petite Review

A Petite Review
PAGE 4
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2010
www.psiloveyou.org
From The Director’s Chair
By Jo Diaz, Executive Director
www.psiloveyou.org
2010 Newest Members
Since April 2009
When I began keeping records on Petite Sirah, there were slightly over 60 growers and producers of Petite Sirah in California combined. That was in 2002. Today, only eight years later, there are now 126 growers + 723 producers. That's 849 companies,
99 percent of them in California with a Pet Project.
Aver Family Vineyards
Here's what I've come to learn, living behind the scenes, about this intriguing cultivar.
Charter Oak Winery
• About 90 percent of all the producers that I've documented for the last eight years make 500 cases, or fewer, of PS per vintage.
• Winemakers for larger companies are expected to make the winery's benchmark wines, and are then allowed to have a Pet Project (e.g., 12 barrels in a corner, separate from all other wines).
• The Pet Project wine is currently being sold in the wineries' tasting rooms and through their wine clubs.
• No outside marketing is needed as a result of complete in-house sales and promotion.
• Some wine companies are quietly growing their own production by a barrel or two with each vintage, so it's growing in a manageable way.
• Winemakers love to make this wine, to satisfy their own passions...It's a winemaker's wine.
• Other winemakers are now hanging their hats on Petite Sirah, and are taking advantage of a very small producer membership level, as part of PSILY's collective marketing.
• These small producers, who are joining PSILY, are as passionate about their own Pet Projects as Robert Mondavi was, when he first started his winery in the 1970s.
• Robert Mondavi pulled out Petite in the 1970s to replant with Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, his heirs are putting PS on their wine labels.
Christopher Creek
707.620.0788 or [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Lyla Diaz
[email protected]
TO ALL THE FRIENDS AND ADVOCATES
OF PETITE SIRAH!
(St. Helena)
I am honored to represent the PS I Love You board
as President for 2010.
(Russian River Valley)
(Oakley)
It is rewarding to see the continued growth in sales
of this variety.
(Lake County)
Diamond Ridge Vineyards
(Ramona Valley)
Edwards Vyd. & Cellars
(Lake County)
Fortress Vineyards
(Salinas)
Grizzly Republic Wines
(Foster City)
Jazz Cellars
(San Francisco)
Justice Grace Vineyards
(Paso Robles)
Line Shack Winery
(Lodi)
Maley Brothers Vineyards
Morse Vineyards
(Fiddletown)
Oakstone Winery
(Sierra Foothills)
Occasio Winery
(Livermore Valley)
Old Creek Ranch Winery
(Ojai Valley)
Ranchita Canyon Vineyard
(San Miguel)
(Angwin)
(Umpqua Valley, OR)
Szabo Vineyards
(Nevada City)
TAPAS
(Phoenix, AZ)
Tres Sabores Winery
(St. Helena)
True Vine Vineyards
(Somerset)
Vezér Family Vineyard
State of Petite Sirah
(Napa)
Diablo Vista Vineyards
Spangler Vineyards
Message From President
John Concannon
(Santa Clara Valley)
CellarPass
Robert Foley Vineyards
For more information about any of the topics covered
in this newsletter contact Jo Diaz:
SUMMER 2010
(Suisun Valley)
Welcome to Our GrouPieS:
Our consumers are looking for a wine to drink now that also has the
staying power that will allow them to enjoy the wines 10 or 20 years
from now.
I have been impressed with the many producers of Petite Sirah, both
large and small, that have released premium vintages year after year.
Petite Sirah was planted in our vineyard between the years of 19081911. It was always used in our popular Burgundy blend up until 1961
when my Dad as winemaker set a small lot aside and released it as the
variety “Petite Sirah”.
It also gives me great pleasure to share a birth year “1961” with America’s
“First Petite Sirah”.
A toast to the past and future of this great American Variety!
John Concannon
Fourth Generation Vintner
Concannon Vineyards
Jeffery Ballou
Nancy Ellenbogen Don Horst Joel Lurie Joy Poulsen
Richard Tobey
Susan Dickert Joyce & Nick Feimer Terra Lauppe Chris Petersen Mark Scholar
Kenneth Vogt
Cheryl Dupris
Lori Frederickson John Long Bob Pettist
Erin Stewart Edward Zimmerman
NEWSLETTER
PAGE 2
SUMMER 2010
PAGE 3
www.psiloveyou.org
EIGHTH ANNUAL
Petite Sirah Noble Symposium
Dark & Delicious 2010
The Fourth Annual Dark & Delicious event was held on February 19, 2010, at Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda. The event
sold out, welcoming about 700 Petite Sirah fans into Rock Wall’s 20,000 square foot facility in Alameda, overlooking the skyline
of San Francsico. This event continues to be a must-do event for fans of Petite Sirah, and the only event of its kind, combining
the passion for petite with delectible delights. Thank you to the following wineries and food companies for participating in an
unforgettable evening.
Wineries
Artezin Wines
Aver Family Vineyards
Ballentine Vineyards
Berryessa Gap Vineyards
Bogle Winery
Charter Oak Winery
Clayhouse
Cleavage Creek
Concannon Vineyard
David Fulton
EOS Estate Winery
F. Teldeschi Winery
Field Stone Winery
Foppiano Vineyards
Fortress Vineyards
Grizzly Republic Wines
Gustafson Family Vineyard
Heringer Estates
Jazz Cellars
Langtry Estate & Vineyards
Lava Cap Winery
Line 39
Marr Cellars
Mettler Family Vineyards
Michael~ David Vineyards
Miro Cellars
Mounts Family Winery
Parducci Wine Cellars
Pedroncelli Winery
R&B Cellars
Robert Biale Vineyards
Rock Wall Wine Company
Rosenblum Cellars
Silkwood Wines
Spangler Vineyards
Stags’ Leap Winery
Stanton Vineyard
Stonehedge Winery
Trentadue Winery
Tres Sabores
Twisted Oak
Ursa Vineyards
Vezér Family Vineyard
Vina Robles
Wilson Vineyards
Food Companies
9 Catering
Aidell’s Sausage
Andalu Restaurant
Angela’s Bistro
Asena Restaurant
Bert’s Desserts
Bistro 29
Bistro Jeanty
Blue Heron Catering
Creative Palate Works
Farm Fresh To You
Fiscalini Cheese
Fume Bistro of Napa
Great American Barbeque
Harvest Catering
Lovesticks by Judy’s Breadsticks
Marcel et Henri Charcuterie
Francaise
Marin French Cheese
Mary’s Pizza Shack
Montibella Sausage
Ramekins Culinary School
Savoy Events
Sweet Things
The Hobnob
Tomatina Restaurant
Venga Paella
Whole Foods Market
Wood Tavern of Oakalnd
Yoshi’s Jazz Club
Z Cioccolato
Coming to Concannon Vineyard - July 27, 2010
AGENDA
7:30 - 8:30 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 8:35 a.m. WELCOME ~ Jim & John Concannon
8:35 - 8:45 a.m. INDIVIDUAL INTRODUCTIONS
8:45 - 9:30 a.m.
SESSION I KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Tyler Coleman, Dr.Vino.com
• The making of a more widely accepted variety
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.
BREAK
9:45 - 10:30 a.m.
SESSION II MARKETING
Dan Berger, Vintage Experiences
Clark Smith, Grape Crafter
• Understanding the Terroir of Your Petite Sirah
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
SESSION III ENOLOGY
Christophe Paubert, Stags’ Leap Winery
• The Taming of the Shrew
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.
BREAK
11:30 - 12:30 p.m
SESSION IV VITICULTURE
Larry Mettler, Mettler Family Vineyards
Paul Foppiano, Foppiano Vineyards
Bob Swain, Mendocino Wine Co.
• Best Farming Practices for Different Climates
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
ANNUAL LUNCH WITH MEDIA
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
BEST OF THE PETS MEDIA TASTING
(Bring your Petite Sirah ~ Three bottles)
REGISTER NOW!
Seating for the symposium is limited to 98
people. Each year it’s a sell out, so please
don’t procrastinate. If you are interested in
reserving your space today, please register
online at: petitesirahsymposium.com.
PS I Love You would like to thank our Sponsor: