Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/91577
In Northern California's Lodi AVA—driven by a Mediterranean climate strikingly similar to Napa Valley and Sonoma—few wineries have parlayed the versatility of Petite Sirah as successfully as Michael David Winery. This 300,000- case winery produces two bottlings, now distributed around the world: a black, brazen, no-holds-barred "Earthquake" Petite Sirah for about $26; and a kinder, gentler $18 Petite Petit, usually blended with about 15% Petit Verdot. Petite Sirah growing at Michael David Vineyards in Lodi, CA. In historic Santa Clara Valley—now better known as Silicon Valley—one family has been keeping urban sprawl at bay by cultivating Petite Sirah under the Guglielmo Winery (est. 1925) label since 1969. Out of the dozen varietals crafted by third generation owner George Guglielmo (with winemaker Alan DeWitt), a classically black, full-scaled Petite Sirah remains the family's signature wine. George Guglielmo and Alan DeWitt of Guglielmo Winery in the Santa Clara Valley. november 2012 / the tasting panel / 135 PHOTO COURTESY OF GUGLIELMO WINERY. PHOTO: RANDY CAPAROSO