Lodi Petite Sirah Celebration a big hit
The Lodi Association of Wineries (LAW) sponsored the first Petite Sirah Celebration the third weekend in January, with 17 wineries participating. The format was simple, all we had to do was visit a participating winery and let the host know we were there to taste “peh-teet sih-rah.” We were given a guidebook for taking notes and a map, showing the locations of the other 16 wineries. We tasted Petite Sirah and Petite Blends. All were big, dark and inky with good acidity and tannins. Purchase was optional but with the celebration discounts offered, it was a no-brainer. We had our guidebook stamped and headed to the next winery.
Currently, there are 13,000 acres of Petite Sirah planted in California. The variety thrives in the Lodi Region where 45% of the state’s crop is grown. The Navigator and I took the Jack Tone Road exit off Highway 99. Ten minutes later we made a left turn on East Harney Lane Road. After a few miles, voilá, the Harney Lane Winery. Its 2017 Home Ranch Petite Sirah was the Best of Class Medal Winner in the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. It is an amazing Petite Sirah. It has aromas of blueberries, vanilla, peppery spice and smoky oak with flavors of black coffee, dark chocolate and cinnamon. There are smooth tannins and a long, long finish.
We pretty much stayed in the wine neighborhood visiting Mettler Family Vineyards, Prie Vineyards, Klinker Brick Winery and d’Art Hand Crafted Wines. We tasted enough to have our pearly white teeth tinted a sexy lavender, acquired almost a full case of wine, our stamped page turned in for a raffle drawing and we made it home to watch the 49’ers win. As usual we had a great day.
LAW also sponsor a Lodi Tour of Albarino, Aug. 14-16 and a Lodi Tour of Tempranillo, Nov. 13-15. Lodi rocks!
Hello, Trader Joe
Rumors fly about where your next store will be. Fresno/Clovis already have two, Modesto has one and is wanting more. Merced, Atwater and Turlock would love one. In the 12 years of writing Wine Line, I’ve praised your wine selections, your bargain prices, your Two-Buck-Chuck and recently your Sweepstakes Honey Moon Viognier. So Joe, how about a little payback?
Put it right in the middle, in Livingston, only 15 miles from Merced, 6 miles from Atwater and just 10 miles from Turlock. I have the perfect spot with the requisite tiny parking lot all your stores seem to have. I know people who know people, Joe. We can make this happen. Give me a call, my number is in the Livingston phone book. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.