One of the strangest things happened in 2019: I found out there was a vineyard in New Jersey that was growing Petite Sirah.  (This grape, by the way, is not related to Syrah.  In France it sometimes also goes by the name "Durif.")  The vineyard is called Woodland Farm, and after speaking with Jim Quarella who manages the vines there, I took a chance.  And what a surprise it was!

2020 was the second time we were lucky that he had fruit he could sell us.  This vintage was a little cooler, yielding a wine with a better acid structure but with the same inky color.  Aging in French oak barrels has tamed the wine a bit, and the wine is more food-friendly than the 2019.  Enjoy this while you can with hearty red meat dishes, since we weren’t able to find any in 2021.