Petite Sirah isn’t Syrah, and it might be one of the most misunderstood grapes in California.

Today we're opening a bottle of Petite Sirah from Parducci Wine Cellars and breaking down what this bold, inky grape actually is, where it came from, and why Mendocino County might be one of the best places in America to grow it.

We’ll talk about the history of Petite Sirah (also known as Durif), how it made its way to California in the late 1800s, and why it thrives in warmer inland valleys like those found in Mendocino County. Mendocino is often overshadowed by Napa and Sonoma, but it’s one of the most geographically diverse counties in the state, with mountain AVAs, coastal fog influence, and warm interior valleys that are ideal for powerful reds.

Then we’ll taste through this Petite Sirah and talk structure and flavor.

If you’re ready to break out of the world of the usual grapes and labels and try something off the beaten path, this one is for you.

Suggested Chapters

00:00 – What Is Petite Sirah? (And Why It’s Not Syrah)

00:32 – The History of Durif in California

00:51 – Where Petite Sirah Is Grown Today

02:20 – Why Mendocino County Works So Well

03:34 – Parducci Wine Cellars

04:06 – Tasting the Petite Sirah

05:15 – Who Should Be Drinking Petite Sirah?

Rosé and orange wine often look similar in the glass, but the taste completely different.

In this video, we'll discuss the history, winemaking, and taste difference between Rosé and Orange wine. We’ll talk about skin contact, phenolic bitterness, and how rosé gets its color without turning into red wine.

If you’ve ever wondered:

– Why rosé and orange wine can look similar but taste nothing alike

– Why orange wine tastes bitter or grippy

– How skin contact changes a wine’s structure and feel

This one’s for you.

Wines tasted:

– Love You Bunches Rosé (Stolpman Vineyards)

– Love You Bunches Orange (Stolpman Vineyards)

⏱ Chapters:

0:00 Rosé vs orange wine- same color, different wine

0:45 What rosé actually is

1:30 What orange wine actually is

3:00 A quick history of rosé and orange wine

5:30 The science of skin contact & phenolics

8:00 Why these two wines taste so different

10:30 Tasting: rosé vs orange

13:30 The U.S. labeling problem with “orange wine”

14:40 Final thoughts + who should drink which

If you like approachable wine education and breaking down confusing wine topics without the snobbery, hit subscribe and drop a comment. Which one are you pouring: rosé or orange?

Wine without grapes? It’s not a trend, it’s history.

Today we're exploring fruit wine (wine made from fruit other than grapes) and why it existed long before modern day winemaking. From ancient fermentation to modern American producers, fruit wine has always been part of the wine story, even if it’s been overlooked.

0:00 Does wine have to be made with grapes?

0:31 Brief history of wine

1:31 Why do we ferment grapes?

2:42 What fruit wine actually is (legally and historically)

3:56 How fruit wine fits into American wine history

5:16 Hermit Woods winery

5:41 Why fruit wine has been dismissed as “not real wine”... and why that’s wrong

6:22 What modern producers are doing to make dry, structured fruit wines today

7:04 Hermit Woods Red Scare tasting (blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and honey wine)

9:39 Hermit Woods Winni White tasting (plums, peaches, nectarines, kiwi berries, green tomatoes and rhubarb wine)

If you're curious about off-the-beaten path wine, or the future of American wine beyond the usual grape varieties, join me on this journey!