Cabernet Sauvignon may reign supreme in Napa Valley today, but it hasn’t always worn the crown.
It surprises many wine lovers to learn that, until 1970, Cabernet Sauvignon was not the most widely planted grape in Napa Valley. Even more surprising: in 1969, the top spot belonged to Petite Sirah.
Petite Sirah, also known as Durif, is the offspring of two Rhône Valley varieties, Syrah and Peloursin. Since arriving in California around the turn of the 20th century, it has been prized by winemakers for its inky color, muscular structure, deep black fruit, remarkable longevity, and usefulness as a blending grape.
Historically, Petite Sirah was often called upon to give other red wines a little more weight, color, and intensity… to “beef them up,” so to speak. But the variety is far more than a supporting player.
At Robert Biale Vineyards, we have long valued Petite Sirah alongside our signature Zinfandel. We covet the small amounts of old-vine Petite Sirah that remain in Napa Valley and have also worked to help reestablish the variety through new planting projects.
Today, Biale sources Petite Sirah from five Napa Valley AVAs: Oak Knoll District, Chiles Valley, Calistoga, St. Helena, and Rutherford. Each site offers its own expression of the grape while preserving the power, depth, and character that make Petite Sirah so distinctive.
An Underrated California Classic
Because of its relative scarcity (and a name that is sometimes confused with Syrah) Petite Sirah remains misunderstood by many wine drinkers.
Yet those who know the variety understand its appeal. Wine critic Robert Parker has often described Petite Sirah as one of California’s most underrated red varieties for both pleasure and longevity, and its ability to age beautifully remains one of its great strengths.
That combination of concentration, dark fruit, structure, and cellar potential makes Petite Sirah especially compelling for drinkers who enjoy bold red wines.
A New Generation of Petite Sirah
Today, a new wave of seriously good Petite Sirah is emerging from California, with top winemakers giving this historic grape renewed attention.
For Napa Valley wine lovers accustomed to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah offers a chance to explore another important piece of the region’s history—one that is darker, bolder, and deeply rooted in California wine culture.
The king may still live, but one of Napa Valley’s old classics is very much having another moment.
