Petite Sirah vines planted in 1930 line the north end of the Talmage Bench. These are the vines of Edon Knoll Vineyard. The north end of the Talmage Bench ends up in a small valley. This valley is ringed on the north and east by significant hills, known to a select few as the Sleeping Dragon. Edon Knoll is unique. The higher southwest ridge of this valley has a sandy clay mixture. The higher elevation allows for reliable cooling afternoon breezes and water drainage. Vines are dry farmed and head pruned.
We have been providing these grapes since 1997. Petite Sirah usually ripen relatively early, avoiding winter rains. They can produced as magnificent, balanced varietal wines. The dark colored flesh of the Petite Sirah also provides intense color when used to blend with other varietals such as Zinfandel, Syrah and Grenache.
Photo: 76 year old, head-pruned Edon Knoll Petite Sirah
Edon Knoll Petite Sirah
- Region: Talmage, Mendocino County CA
- Age: Planted in 1930.
- Irrigation: Dry farmed
- Trellis: Head / goblet, spur pruned, terraced vines facing north west, deep clay loam
- Mid harvest.
- Small berries and intense wine. Expected harvest at 23.5° brix.
- Less than 3 tons / acre
- Ultra premium vineyard & grapes, has won Best of Show from American Wine Society
| 2009 Grape Inspection and Winemaking Recommendations: Edon Knon Petite Sirah
The wine gods were happy. The vines looked great, the bunches and berries were exceptional. The sugar and acid are perfect, while the pH is a tad on the high side. If fermented on its own, I would add 6 grams of tartaric acid to each pail of 5 gallons of must. Petite Sirah is a great blender with Zinfandel, Carignane, and Grenache. These grapes have a very dark color. They were clean at harvest and no SO2 was added.
Ferment as Zinfandel or Cabernet. Would recommend pressing earlier to avoid heavy seed tannin. Should require acid addition after malolactic fermentation. Be sure to maintain a high free SO2 in wine as pH will be on High side.
- Peter Brehm
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Average Harvest Statistics:
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Edon Knoll Petite Sirah (since 1999)
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Brix
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TA
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pH
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23.7
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0.68
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3.53
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2009 Edon Knoll Petite Sirah
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Talmage, Mendocino County CA
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Grape Code: 09EKPS / Freezer Code: 905
Harvested 9/24/09
Availability: Frozen 5 gall pails
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2008 Edon Knoll Petite Sirah
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Edon Knoll Vineyard, Talmage, Mendocino County CA
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Grape Code: 08EKPS / Freezer Code: 740
Picked 9/28/08
Availability: Sold Out
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