Petite Sirah
Whispers Among the Hills: A Journey Through Petite Sirah Vineyards at DORVAL Estate Winery.
Enter a world where the hills roll like waves in an ocean of green, and the air is thick with the promise of adventure. Here, amidst the undulating landscape, lies a hidden treasure: our Petite Sirah vineyards, where beauty and mystery intertwine in a dance as old as time itself.
Nestled among the verdant hills, our vineyards are a tapestry of green and gold, a patchwork quilt stitched together by the hand of nature. Rows of Petite Sirah vines stretch as far as the eye can see, their gnarled branches reaching skyward in a silent symphony of resilience and grace.
As the sun rises over the horizon, casting its golden light upon the land, the vineyards awaken with a quiet hum of anticipation. Dew-kissed leaves shimmer in the morning mist, and the earth exhales the perfume of possibility, as if daring all who enter to uncover its secrets.
But it is not only the beauty of the landscape that captivates the senses; it is the spirit that infuses every vine, every grape with a sense of adventure and discovery. Petite Sirah grapes, with their deep purple hue and rich, velvety texture, are a testament to the rugged terrain from which they spring, their bold flavor a reflection of the untamed spirit of the hills.
As the seasons pass, our vineyards undergo a transformation, each stage of growth a testament to the resilience of nature and the ingenuity of those who tend to their care. From the first tender buds of spring to the riotous explosion of color at harvest time, every moment is a celebration of life and the boundless potential of the grapevine.
And oh, the wine that flows from these hallowed hills! With a depth of flavor that speaks of sun-drenched days and cool, breezy nights, our Petite Sirah wines are a symphony of taste and texture, a journey through the senses that leaves an indelible mark upon the soul.
So come, wander with us among the whispering hills, where dreams take root and memories are bottled. In our Petite Sirah vineyards, the journey is as exhilarating as the destination, and every sip is an invitation to explore the untamed beauty of the land.
About Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah also known as “Durif” is a variety of red wine grape primarily grown in Australia, California, France, and Israel. Since the end of the 20th century, wineries located in Washington’s Yakima River Valley, Maryland, Arizona, Texas, West Virginia, Chile, Mexico‘s Baja California Peninsula, and Ontario‘s Niagara Peninsula have also produced wines from Durif grapes.
Petite Sirah is a thick skinned varietal that grows small tight clusters. This makes for spectacularly dark, rich wines described as meaty, tannic, blackberries and pepper.
We train our vines in two ways. Our oldest blocks that are over 20 years old are trained on a double geneva and the other blocks are trained on a high wire cordon.
It is the main grape known in the U.S. and Israel as Petite Sirah, with over 90% of the California plantings labeled “Petite Sirah” being Durif grapes; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recognizes “Durif” and “Petite Sirah” as synonyms for the same grape. It produces tannic wines with a spicy, plummy flavour. The grape originated as a cross of Syrah pollen germinating a Peloursin plant. On some occasions, Peloursin and Syrah vines may be called Petite Sirah, usually because the varieties are extremely difficult to distinguish in old age.
