Avenue Vine

A wine writer ask, "Don't you think this audience is going to be too snobby for this panel?" The quick response, "The room's full."

It was standing room only, and the Florida Winefest & Auction people were turning folks away... Snobby? I think not.

Perhaps the immense draw is because of the following:

● · The variety's been shrouded in mystery since it's inception, and isn't easy to completely comprehend

● · Although everyone seems to have a favorite, there's no true quintessential benchmark for this cultivar yet established above all others, although there are a few favorite "pets"
● · So many vintners are consistently willing to load yet another panel with diverse talent for adoring fans

● · There are so many wine makers that must focus on other varieties for their proprietors in order to have an easily marketable item; but, behind the scenes they're working their passion; i.e., Petite Sirah

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According to Jo Diaz, "This all seems to be true, as I watch and study this particular grape variety more than any other, as the director of the PS I Love You advocacy group, which I've been doing since February 2002. It's put me into a role of being the ‘go to gal,' when anyone has a question about who's producing it, by how much, how many acres there are, etc.

"It's also made me the person that gets fed information by others who are in love with this variety. What would I do without Patrick Fegan of the Chicago Wine School? Each year, as acreage statistics are released, Patrick feeds me the information. California acreage is available through the California agricultural industry, but just try to wade through their Website to get it. Patrick makes my life delightful by not only freeing up that research time, but he's also got worldwide stats that I've yet to try to find. He remains faithful to this self appointed task that I'd surely miss if it ever went away."

When a panel opportunity arises, it instantly becomes loaded with talent. And even though this might seem like a one trick pony, PSILY's immediately invited back. According to Diaz, "Because this isn't a grape variety that's this side of intimidating, we can have fun with it... And we do. Is there any better way to present anything?"

Anything can be fun. And, Petite Sirah is proving itself to be fun, regardless of all else." Limited production by most of the producers (300 to 400 cases a year for about 80 percent of all wineries who make a Petite), hard to find on a wine list or a wine shop shelves, and consistent high quality by those who produce it - because it's their "pet" project.... All of these things add up to "cult."

● · It's had it's own Petite Sirah Symposium for six consecutive years produced by Foppiano Vineyards, so winemakers could discuss how to better understand it, work with it, and maintain uniqueness from each the attendees.

● · It's had unusual road trips for wine trade people, all sponsored by Concannon Vineyard and other wine companies who immediately came on board (Bogle, EOS, F. Teldeschi, Foppiano, Guenoc, Mettler, Parducci, Pedroncelli, Robert Biale, Rosenblum, Silkwood, Trentadue, and Vina Robles). We merrily traipsed across the country in a motor home from coast to coast, and then did the same thing in Patrick Henry's luxury railroad cars... All the while singing Johnny Cash's, "I've Been Everywhere, Man" and "On the Road Again."

Petite Sirah continues its tortoise and hare race... Pulling up the rear, but constantly moving forward as an American Heritage cultivar. One must never forget that in the 1960s, Napa Valley was planted to Petite Sirah by 60 percent. While that will never return - and frankly, no one wants that to ever happen - it will find its rightful place as a wine grape of great merit in the California scheme of things.