Ferrari Carano Siena

Ferrari-Carano Siena is a Sangiovese-based red blend from Sonoma County, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. One of the first premium Sangiovese blends produced in California, this wine has earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and 91 points from James Suckling (2023 vintage), with the 2018 vintage receiving 98 points and Best of Class at the North Coast Wine Challenge.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Red Blend  |  Producer: Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

Production & Heritage

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery, founded in Sonoma County by Don and Rhonda Carano, has produced Siena for over three decades — the 2022 vintage marks the 30th bottling. The blend combines Sangiovese with Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the Carano family's Italian heritage while embracing Sonoma terroir. Hand-harvested grapes are sorted and destemmed before a three-day cold soak to extract color and fruit intensity. Yeast is then added and pump-overs run one to two times daily through primary fermentation, after which the wine is drained, pressed, and moved to barrels for malolactic fermentation — softening acidity and building the blend's characteristic round mouthfeel.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dried strawberry and plum, followed by layers of cardamom-dusted graham cracker and cedar spice. Deeper in the glass, subtle mocha and a faint hint of smoky bacon emerge.

Taste: The entry is bright with cranberry and cherry, quickly building to juicy plum and baked berry pie flavors at mid-palate. Warm baking spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice — weave through the fruit, joined by toasted hazelnut, vanilla bean, and cola on the back end. The medium body carries enough structure to feel substantial without heaviness.

Finish: Moderately long and elegant, trailing off with sweet oak, coffee nip, and a butterscotch warmth. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a lingering spice and dark fruit impression.

How to Drink Siena

Siena shows its best character at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, served in a large-bowled glass to let the aromatic complexity open up. It drinks beautifully on its own and pairs naturally with food. For cocktail-adjacent serves, consider a Sangria Roja, where Siena's berry depth and spice backbone stand up to citrus and brandy; a Kalimotxo, the Basque red wine and cola drink that mirrors Siena's own cola notes in a refreshing, casual format; or a classic Mulled Wine during cooler months, where the existing cinnamon and nutmeg character amplifies the warm-spice profile without needing heavy additions.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners — pasta Bolognese, eggplant Parmesan, or wood-fired pizza
• Introducing red blend newcomers to Sangiovese-based wines with approachable fruit and soft tannins
• Gifting wine lovers who appreciate California wines with Old World inspiration
• Fall and winter entertaining where a medium-bodied, spice-driven red suits the season

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Siena taste like? Ferrari-Carano Siena delivers ripe cherry, plum, and cranberry fruit layered with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and toasted oak. The medium-bodied palate is juicy and approachable with a smooth, spice-driven finish.

How does Siena compare to an Italian Super Tuscan? Both styles build on a Sangiovese foundation blended with complementary varietals, but Siena leans into riper, more fruit-forward Sonoma County character compared to the earthy, more tannic profile typical of Tuscan blends like Tignanello. Siena's inclusion of Petite Sirah and Malbec adds a density and dark-fruit richness not commonly found in traditional Super Tuscans.

Is Siena good for everyday sipping? Absolutely — its soft tannins, moderate body, and generous fruit make it an easy wine to pour on any weeknight, while the layered complexity rewards closer attention when you want to slow down with a glass.

Where is Siena made? Siena is produced by Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County, California. The winery sources fruit from its estate vineyards across multiple Sonoma County appellations.

What foods pair well with Siena? Grilled Italian sausage benefits from the wine's spice-on-spice harmony. Slow-braised short ribs match the rich plum and berry fruit. Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano echoes the nutty, toasty oak notes. Mushroom risotto complements the earthy undertones. Dark chocolate desserts pick up on the mocha and butterscotch finish.

What sizes does Siena come in? Ferrari-Carano Siena is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Siena worth the price? Siena positions as a mid-range California red blend, and its 30-year track record, consistent critical scores of 90–91 points, and multi-varietal complexity deliver strong value relative to similarly scored Sonoma County reds.

Why Siena?

Ferrari-Carano Siena holds a genuine claim as a California original — one of the first premium Sangiovese blends produced in the state, now in its 30th bottling year. That longevity is not incidental; it reflects three decades of refinement in balancing Italian-varietal character with Sonoma fruit intensity. The wine consistently earns scores in the 90–91 point range from publications including Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and James Suckling, and the 2022 vintage recently took a Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. For drinkers seeking a red blend rooted in heritage rather than trend, Siena remains one of Sonoma County's most reliable and distinctive bottles.