Petite Sirah (Durif)

Petite Sirah is a thick-skinned red grape variety known for producing deeply colored, full-bodied wines with high tannin and robust structure. It is valued for its intense color, bold flavors, and aging potential. While often used for blending, it can also produce powerful single-varietal wines with distinctive spice and fruit character.

Originated in the Rhône-Alpes region of France

Ripening Period: Late season

High vigor

Moderate yield

Availability

Preferred Climate

Petite Sirah performs best in a warm, dry climate with abundant sunlight and long growing seasons. It thrives in well-drained soils and benefits from moderate diurnal temperature variation to preserve acidity while achieving full phenolic ripeness.

Viticultural Characteristics

Petite Sirah produces medium to large clusters of small, thick-skinned berries, contributing to deep color, high tannin, and concentrated flavors. The vine exhibits high vigor and requires careful canopy management to prevent excessive vegetative growth and ensure even ripening. It ripens late and benefits from warm, sunny sites with well-drained soils. Petite Sirah is relatively hardy but can be sensitive to rot in humid conditions, particularly if the canopy is dense.

Wine Profile

Petite Sirah wines are typically full-bodied with high tannins, moderate acidity, and deep, opaque color. Aromatically, they display dark fruit such as blackberry, blueberry, and plum, often accompanied by spice, black pepper, and earthy undertones. On the palate, the wines are powerful and structured, with dense fruit, firm tannins, and a long, persistent finish. With careful aging, Petite Sirah can develop additional layers of chocolate, espresso, leather, and savory complexity while retaining its bold fruit-driven core.

Clones

FPS 3 - Moderate to high vigor, high yield. Large cluster sizes.
FPS 5 - Moderate to high vigor, high yield. Large cluster sizes.
FPS 6
FPS 7
FPS 9