Winemaker Notes
Located in Chiles Valley east of Napa, Green and Red have been growing grapes since the early 1970s, focusing on varieties common to California in the nineteenth century. This is classic Petite Sirah: black, dense, earthy, big, juicy, ripe, spicy, and tannic. Planted at 500m/1700ft, altitude gives the wine a refreshing lift. Full-bodied and decadent, drink with steak or a dish with a rich Italian sauce.
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.
Nestled in the Vaca Mountains on the northeast side of Napa Valley, Chiles Valley is one of the cooler Napa subregions with vineyards at about 600 to 1,200 feet in elevation. The region is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon blanc.