Petite Sirah
California’s tannic field-blend partner to Zinfandel. NOT the same as Syrah (genetic confusion is editorially significant). Very high tannin, very deep color.
About Petite
Petite Sirah is the California name for the grape known elsewhere as Durif — a natural cross of Syrah and Peloursin created in the 1880s by French nurseryman François Durif. The variety’s naming history is editorially confusing because “Petite Sirah” and “Syrah” sound related but are different (though genetically connected) grapes; DNA analysis in the 1990s clarified the relationship. In California, Petite Sirah is most editorially significant as a field-blend partner to Zinfandel — the historic California practice was to plant Petite Sirah (10-20% of vineyard) alongside Zinfandel because its high tannin and dense color complement Zinfandel’s lower-tannin, jammier character. Ridge Lytton Springs (Zinfandel + Carignane + Petite Sirah field blend) is the canonical reference. Single-varietal Petite Sirah is produced by Stags Leap Winery and others; the wines are typically extremely tannic, deeply colored, and require substantial aging or strong food pairing.
Variety profile
Also known as
Editorial notes
Petite Sirah is NOT the same grape as Syrah — confusion is common and editorially significant. The grape is a Syrah-Peloursin cross created in the 1880s; genetically related but stylistically and viticulturally distinct.