Storrs Santa Cruz Petite Sirah 1997
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Over the next six years, they prepped the land for the organically-farmed vineyard that they planted in the summer of 2007. Their estate vineyard which they call Hidden Springs consists of two clones of Chardonnay – Clones 4 and 17; and five clones of Pinot Noir including the Dijon clones of 115, 667, 828 as well as Clone 2A and the Pommard clone. They are currently considering Bio-dynamic certification to recognize their conservation efforts on behalf of wildlife, soil and water on their farm and their flock of Olde English Babydoll sheep that graze their vineyard during the winter months to promote a more balanced, self-sustaining system.
With its deep color, firm tannins and bold flavors, there is nothing petite about Petite Sirah. The variety, originally known as Durif in the Rhône, took on its more popular moniker after being imported to California in the early 1880s. Quintessentially recognized today as a grape of the Golden State, Petite Sirah works well blended with Zinfandel and finds success as a single varietal wine in the state’s warmer districts. Somm Secret—Petite Sirah is not a smaller version of Syrah but it is an offspring of Syrah and the now nearly extinct French Alpine variety called Peloursin.
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.