2016 Jaffurs Thompson Vineyard Petite Sirah

Jaffurs Wine Cellars is owned by the husband and wife team of Craig Jaffurs and Lee Wardlaw Jaffurs. Craig worked in the aerospace industry before starting his own winery in the early 1990s. His first commercial vintage was a 1994 Santa Barbara County Syrah. He is the winemaker. Jaffurs Wine Cellars focuses on Rhone varietal wines made in small lots. The winery owns no vineyards but sources grapes from Santa Barbara County vineyards. The winery itself is in downtown, historic Santa Barbara. Jaffurs makes red and white wines that impress reviewers. Its Syrahs are consistently well rated. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “Jaffurs has emerged as one of Santa Barbara’s finest, most consistent winemakers.”

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.

Despite its popularity, this grape is quite rare. Less than 10,000 acres are planted worldwide, with the bulk in California. In France, the grape is referred to as Durif. Not to be confused with Syrah, Petite Sirah is a cross of Syrah and Peloursin. The result is darker and fuller.