Winemaker Notes
Pedroncelli - Dry Creek Valley’s Benchmark Estate Winery.
Since 1927, the Pedroncelli Winery family has made wines from Dry Creek Valley that reflect place, climate, and craft. Four generations on, the legacy continues, pairing each varietal with its ideal site across 100 estate acres. A leader in Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc, Pedroncelli champions these signature varietals as benchmarks of the estate and region. Guided by decades of experience and rooted in tradition, Pedroncelli crafts balanced, regionally expressive wines in a distinct house style made for food and the table. Thoughtfully produced and sustainably farmed to carry the legacy forward.
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.
A multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.