Fiddletown Petite Sirah 2012
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2015-
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Being Earth Friendly is easy to say, but it's much harder to do. The actual winery is an energy efficient ICF (insulated concrete form) structure. Their water comes from our own artisan well, with UV sterilization to replace chemical additives. Year round power is provided by a 10KW PV solar system and the only private wind turbine, in Amador County. They use pulp shippers rather than polystyrene foam cores. In addition, we strive to do business with Green Friendly companies and use our fruit from organic farmers. They recycle everything; from cardboard to sending the fruit pressings back to the vineyard for organic compost.
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.
Originally a source of oenological sustenance for gold-seeking miners of the mid-1800s, the Sierra Foothills was the first region in California to produce wines from European grape varieties. Located between Sacramento and the Nevada border, this area’s immigrant settlers chose to forgo growing the then-ubiquitous Mission grape and instead brought with them superior vines from the Old World to plant alongside mining camps.
Zinfandel has been the most important variety of this region since its inception, taking on a spicy character with brambly fruit and firm structure. Amador and El Dorado counties, benefiting from the presence of volcanic and granite soils, are home to the best examples. Bold, robust Rhône Blends and Barbera are also important regional specialties.