The Wine Reference🍷 SupportPetite Sirah grape
Petite Sirah is a red grape known for blackberry, plum, pepper. Its best-known homes are California.
Origin and history
The Californian name for Durif, bred around 1880 by Dr François Durif in Montpellier; DNA shows it is a cross of Syrah and Peloursin.
Where it grows
California (Lodi, Napa, Paso Robles, Sonoma), Australia (Rutherglen, Riverina), Israel, Mexico and Chile.
Structure
Full body, very deep, inky colour, moderate to high acidity and high, firm tannins.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: blackberry, blueberry, black plum, black pepper and dark chocolate. With age: leather, tobacco, earth and dried fruit.
Ageing
Most best within 3–10 years; top bottlings can age 20 years or more.
Also known as
Durif.
Good to know
In California, 'Petite Sirah' once covered a field mix of Durif, Syrah and Peloursin; it is mostly Durif, and was long blended with Zinfandel for colour and grip.
Petite Sirah wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs
Sonoma · Dry Creek Valley · Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Spicy field blend: bramble fruit, black pepper and a savoury edge.
Food: Barbecue, ribs
Seghesio Family Vineyards Sonoma Zinfandel
Sonoma · Sonoma County · Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Juicy bramble fruit, black pepper and a hint of sweet spice, generous yet balanced rather than jammy.
Food: Barbecued baby back ribs
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
The Wine Reference newsletter
New wines, stories and career guides, one email a week at most.
Over 18s only. Unsubscribe any time with one click. Your email is stored securely by Kit and never shared.
Support The Wine Reference
This guide is free, with no paywall. If it helped you choose a bottle, you can buy me a glass and keep it growing.
🍷 Buy me a glass