Petite Sirah
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2034
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-braised beef short ribs, barbecued smoked brisket, or strong, aged cheeses.
✨ Technical Specifications
Robert Mondavi Winery, established in 1966, stands as a cornerstone of modern California winemaking. While legendary for Cabernet Sauvignon, Mondavi's exploration of Petite Sirah pays homage to one of California's historic heritage grape varieties. Locally known for its deep, inky color and robust character, Petite Sirah (historically identified as Durif) thrived in the warm California sun long before French noble varieties dominated the valley. Mondavi's interpretation of this bold red balances the grape's naturally intense, muscular tannins with refined winemaking techniques, typically utilizing careful oak aging to coax out complex layers of blackberry, dark plum, black pepper, and sweet cocoa. It represents a bridge between California's rugged viticultural past and the polished, elegant style championed by Robert Mondavi himself.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1966 by visionary vintner Robert Mondavi, Robert Mondavi Winery was established in Oakville with the singular mission of creating Napa Valley wines that could rival the finest estates in the world. Operating from its iconic California Mission-style winery designed by Cliff May, the estate played a pivotal role in pioneering the modern American wine industry, particularly through its stewardship of the historic To Kalon Vineyard. Mondavi championed cutting-edge viticultural techniques, temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation, French oak barrel aging, and popularized dry-fermented Sauvignon Blanc under the moniker Fumé Blanc. Today, the winery remains globally celebrated for its benchmark Reserve and Oakville Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as its structured, elegant Chardonnays and expressive Bordeaux-style blends.