I’ve been working on a theory. We all know about personality tests that revolve around how you answer a fundamental question. Such as, if you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? The answer, whether it be a majestic strong oak or a blossoming apple tree, suggests answers to your personality. There are other tests like that, what color would you be, what animal would be, well, you get the idea. Here is my personality test. If you were a wine grape, what grape would you be? Here are some examples to get you started on this impromptu personality test.

• Cabernet Sauvignon ~ strong back-boned, complex, aggressive, and popular
• Chardonnay ~ is popular for all the wrong reasons, easily manipulated, identity complex
• Pinot Noir ~ Introvert, cerebral, layered personality
• Merlot ~ soft and cuddly, straightforward, not a lot of complexity
• Champagne ~ a party animal, tickly bubbles make everyone smile, everyone’s friend
• Sauvignon Blanc ~ crisp, aloof, vibrant

Those were just off the top of my head, and the list goes on and on. But the grape that I think I relate to the most is Petite Sirah. Not well known, it comes from a convoluted ancestry, reasonable, full-bodied, dark, broody, ready for any grilled foods, rich (in flavors only), and looking for a good time with its high alcohol. Yep, when I grow up, I want to be a bottle of Petite Sirah, like Ridge Vineyards and Stags’ Leap, or if I’m just starting out, Parducci Small Lot Petite Sirah.

“There’s nothing petite about Petite Sirah” is the common refrain for this robust red grape with a one-two punch of complex tannins and searing acidity, making it an excellent candidate for aging in the cellar. “Petite” here refers to the small, intensely colored berries that make Petite Sirah such a distinctive variety. The wines it creates are surprisingly modern in that big, boozy way. It’s also the wine that nourished a generation of Northern California gold miners. Currently, nearly 10,000 acres of vines are planted to Petite Sirah in California, with 170 wineries bottling the varietal and the sixth most popular red grape grown in California today. Although this may sound impressive at its face value, it is still tiny compared to other grapes. California has 620,000 acres planted for wine grapevines as of 2020. A quick note, Petit Sirah wine should not be confused with Syrah grape. They are entirely different animals.

Parducci Wine Cellars was completed in 1932 and bonded on August 1, 1933. It was one of only 70 wineries left in California out of over 350 that existed pre-prohibition. In 1933, they started selling wine in a tasting room they created under their house. No other wineries were doing anything like that, so you could say it was the first “tasting room” in California. They also bottled wine and had a gift shop. The tasting room had about 30 barrels in it with spigots. Each barrel was labeled with a variety, and people would come in and go around and taste what they wanted. They would then fill up an empty gallon jug supplied by the tasting room. The charge was 35 or 40 cents. Today, Parducci Wine Cellars is recognized as the longest-running winery in Mendocino County and the only winery to survive into the modern day. Parducci Wine Cellars, along with Concannon, were the first wineries to produce a single varietal Petite Sirah in the 60s. All the more impressive since the grape Petite Sirah was only recognized as a single varietal via DNA in 1997. 

In 2004, three generations of the Thornhill family gave new life to the property through significant investments. Tim Thornhill, Chief Operating Officer, along with brother Tom and father Tommy, are working hard to take this landmark winery back to its roots. Tim’s background as a landscape designer, arborist, and horticulturist expert with past projects designing Disney theme parks and private botanical gardens, creating dreams for others, is now making his own dream come true. Since the Thornhill family took over the estate, quality, and production have improved while reducing their carbon footprint and the consumption of natural resources. 

When Tom and Tim Thornhill first purchased and started making wine at Parducci Wine Cellars, they had a massive cleanup job with the wastewater and water recycling. What was once a smelly purple retention pond, Tim created a unique, natural water filtration system, repurposing parts like cement mixers and other materials that would otherwise be discarded. On the property, there are several trickle towers, unique to the winery, that are built from pallets and help process and filter the water so that by the time it reaches the reclamation pond, it is perfectly clear. The water is then used for irrigation in the vineyards. The once smelly purple retention pond is now a thriving habitat for frogs, turtles, fish, insects, and birds that now flock to the cleaned-up pond. The winery can recycle 100% of the water usage, using 20% less water, saving 30 million gallons annually. In 2008, they became the first carbon-neutral winery in the United States to operate on 100% green power, equipped with an extensive array of solar panels and windmills. The accolades received by the Mendocino Wine Company are many. From the certified wildlife habitat to certified biodynamic, organic, fish-friendly, and California sustainable. 

To be further self-sufficient, Parducci turned a 15-acre unproductive plot of land into a thriving garden with approximately a thousand varieties of vegetables, herbs, fruit, and other crops. Additionally, there are twelve acres of pasture and wild forage land where eighty sheep and six pigs graze. Parducci Wine Cellars also has 200 chickens. The winery’s 70 employees can take home the produce grown at the garden twice a week and a dozen eggs weekly. Don’t we all wish we could get company benefits like that.

With a history of over 60 years in making Petite Sirah, Parducci knows this grape well and continues to make one of the best Californian Petie Sirahs at a bargain price. Some call this grape the Cabernet killer because it is everything a big red wine lover wants at half the price. Full bodied, rich, balanced tannins and high acids make this a wine that tastes great now but will age gracefully. Petite Sirah is one of the deepest, most opaque red wines with very high levels of anthocyanin (an antioxidant). Similarly, colored wines to Petite Sirah include Tannat and Sagrantino. You owe it to yourself to try this wine, to see what all the hubbub is about.

Blackberry, fig, and plum mingle with spicy notes of clove and ginger on the nose. On the palate, the deep rich flavors of Accolades

This big, bold wine is filled with layers of aromas and flavors alongside firm, structural tannins and a solid dose of acidity. Enjoy notes of tart red and black plum, ripe blackberry and black cherry, dark chocolate, tarragon, fennel, star anise, crushed violets, dried tobacco, cinnamon stick and black pepper. Best Buy, Wine Enthusiast 90 pts

Parducci Small Lot Petite Sirah 2021

Needless to say, I was very excited to taste this wine again, and so was our wine staff. The wine did not disappoint. The wine is so high in color pigments that it seemed to stain the wine glass ruby red. On the nose, there were aromas of dark cherry and coca nubs with some vanilla. Full-bodied in the mouth, again with the Black Forest cake and dark fruit flavors with a natural density and richness, but the ample acids kept the fruit dancing and bright. Others found Goji berries, a filbert nuttiness, and fresh wild elderberries, all balanced by integrated chalky tannins. The finish was a long mouthful of dry cherry compote. We like this wine a lot, and for $8 a bottle, it is a red wine lover’s dream come true.

Regular Price: $14.99

Internet Average Price: $16.99

*Sale Price is on 12 or more bottle purchase

$24 Mail in Rebate on 12-bottle purchase

Final cost after MIR is $8 a bottle

 Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

We can hold wines in unpaid reserves for two weeks to allow you time to pick up your wine. If it takes you longer than that to pick up your wines, give us a call, and we can process your wine and move it to paid reserves.

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Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist

Attleboro

628 Washington St.

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