City Winery has establishing relationships with a number of premium vineyards for the 2011 harvest. Here’s a look at one of our partners, Bacigalupi Vineyard.

VARIETY: Petite Sirah
LOCATION/REGION: Russian River AVA, Sonoma County
CLONE: Clone 3 over 101-14
TERROIR: Alluvial soil from russian river
OTHER INFO: VSP trellising
PRICE: $3,000 per barrel

DESCRIPTION: Petite Sirah (which is neither petite nor Syrah) has become something of a cult grape in California among lovers of massive, teeth-staining red wines. This site, owned by Helen and Charles Bacigalupi since 1948, is a benchmark vineyard in Sonoma County and the Russian River Valley. The terrain ranges from gentle rolling hills to extreme hillsides. City Winery’s grapes are planted in the alluvial soils close to the river.

WINE STYLE: This vineyard turns out pedal-to-the-metal, powerful, intense Petite Sirah, possessing a blue/black color as well as an exceptional perfume of acacia flowers, crushed rocks, blueberries, blackberries, and incense. Monstrous in dimension with powerful fine-grained tannins.

City Winery also sources Pinot Noir from Bacigalupi. Here are some key details for that variety:

VARIETY: Pinot Noir
LOCATION/REGION: Russian River AVA, Sonoma County
CLONE: Dijon clones
TERROIR: Alluvial soil from russian river
OTHER INFO: VSP trellising
PRICE: $2,996 per barrel

DESCRIPTION: Owned by Helen and Charles Bacigalupi since 1948, this is a benchmark vineyard in Sonoma County and the Russian River producing some of the best Pinot Noir in California. The terrain ranges from gentle rolling hills to extreme hillsides. City Winery’s grapes are planted in the alluvial soils close to the river. David Ramey and Williams Selyem are long-time clients.

WINE STYLE: Medium-bodied, complex Côte de Beaune-style wines with immensely succulent cherry fruit, velvety texture, and a silky finish.