Palisades Vineyard Old Vine Petite Syrah
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2034
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Barbecued beef brisket, slow-roasted lamb shanks, mature blue cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
Tucked away at the base of the dramatic volcanic cliffs in Calistoga, the historic Palisades Vineyard is home to some of Napa Valley's most legendary old-vine Petite Sirah. Originally planted in the early 20th century, these ancient, head-trained, and dry-farmed vines dig deep into the gravelly loam soils, yielding tiny, intensely concentrated berries. Under the stewardship of TOR, this fruit is transformed into a monumental red wine that pays homage to California's rich viticultural heritage. The winemaking philosophy embraces minimal intervention, utilizing native yeasts and aging in French oak to preserve the vineyard's signature ink-like color, muscular structure, and profound depth of dark fruit, cocoa, and exotic spices.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 2001 by Napa Valley veteran Tor Kenward and his wife Susan, TOR Wines is an artisanal producer located in St. Helena, California. Drawing upon Kenward's nearly three decades of executive experience alongside legendary growers and winemakers at Beringer Vineyards, the estate is dedicated to crafting small-production, vineyard-designated wines from premier sites throughout Napa Valley. TOR focuses primarily on historic grand cru-caliber terroirs, most notably Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, and Cimarossa Vineyard. Employing a minimalist, site-expressive winemaking philosophy, the winery is internationally celebrated for its powerful, cellar-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons, refined Chardonnays, and rare, expressive Syrahs.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Petite Sirah