Greg Norman California Petite Sirah

Greg Norman California Petite Sirah is a full-bodied red wine from Paso Robles, California, produced by Greg Norman Estates in a standard 750ml bottle. The 2004 vintage earned a Silver Medal at the 2006 Indy International Wine Competition, and multiple vintages have scored in the mid-to-upper 80s from wine reviewers, establishing this label as a reliable expression of Central Coast Petite Sirah.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by vintage  |  Origin: Paso Robles, Central Coast, California  |  Varietal: Petite Sirah (Durif)  |  Producer: Greg Norman Estates

Production & Heritage

Greg Norman Estates is the wine venture of Australian golf legend Greg Norman, known as "The Shark," who expanded his brand into winemaking with vineyards and sourcing partnerships across major wine regions. This Petite Sirah draws its fruit from Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County, a sub-region of California's Central Coast prized for warm days, cool nights, and calcareous soils that coax deep color and concentrated flavors from thick-skinned varieties like Petite Sirah (also known as Durif). The wine consistently presents an inky, dark garnet color in the glass — a hallmark of well-ripened Petite Sirah from this appellation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with violet and ripe raspberry before revealing deeper layers of blackberry and dried fruit. A subtle undercurrent of spice and roasted coffee grounds adds complexity.

Taste: The palate entry is rich and dense, with ripe blackberry and juicy plum dominating the mid-palate. Black currant, licorice, and spicy plum flavors develop toward the peak, supported by a thick, pie-like fruitiness that stays firmly structured throughout.

Finish: Velvety tannins carry the wine through a smooth, lengthy finish. Lingering notes of roasted coffee and dark spice persist well after the last sip.

How to Drink Greg Norman Petite Sirah

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled red wine glass to let the dense aromatics open up. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes helps soften the substantial tannins and reveals more nuanced spice and fruit layers.

This Petite Sirah also works in wine-forward mixed drinks: a Red Wine Sangria benefits from its bold fruit intensity and dark berry backbone; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) gains depth from the roasted coffee and licorice notes; and a Mulled Wine preparation amplifies its natural spice character with warming cinnamon and clove.

Best For

• Pairing with a weekend barbecue featuring smoked brisket or ribs
• Introducing a friend to the bold, inky style of Petite Sirah
• A hearty cold-weather dinner alongside braised short ribs or stew
• Gifting to a red wine drinker who favors full-bodied, tannic wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Greg Norman Petite Sirah taste like? It delivers concentrated ripe blackberry and plum flavors layered with black currant, licorice, spicy plum, and roasted coffee. Velvety tannins provide structure through a smooth, extended finish.

How does Greg Norman Petite Sirah compare to Bogle Petite Sirah? Both are widely available California Petite Sirahs, but the Greg Norman bottling sources fruit from Paso Robles on the Central Coast, while Bogle draws from Clarksburg and other inland regions. The warmer Paso Robles climate tends to produce riper, darker fruit profiles with more prominent spice notes.

Is Greg Norman Petite Sirah good for sipping on its own? Yes — its dense fruit concentration, balanced tannin structure, and lengthy finish make it well-suited for drinking on its own, especially after a short decant to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is Greg Norman Petite Sirah made? It is produced by Greg Norman Estates using Petite Sirah (Durif) grapes grown in Paso Robles, located in San Luis Obispo County on California's Central Coast.

What foods pair well with Greg Norman Petite Sirah? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the wine's tannins cut through rich fat; aged cheddar or Gouda, which echo its roasted and nutty undertones; lamb chops with rosemary, complementing the wine's spice and dark fruit; dark chocolate desserts, which mirror the roasted coffee and blackberry notes; or a hearty mushroom risotto, whose earthy flavors play off the wine's depth.

What sizes does Greg Norman Petite Sirah come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Greg Norman Petite Sirah worth the price? This wine positions as an approachable, value-tier Petite Sirah that consistently delivers concentrated flavor and structure typical of Paso Robles reds, making it a competitive choice within the everyday California red wine category.

Why Greg Norman Petite Sirah?

Paso Robles has emerged as one of California's premier regions for bold, dark-skinned red varieties, and this bottling channels that terroir into an accessible format. The wine's inky color, layered dark fruit, and firm but velvety tannin structure reflect the warm days and cool marine-influenced nights of San Luis Obispo County. A Silver Medal at the Indy International Wine Competition and consistent reviewer scores in the 84–88 range across multiple vintages speak to its reliability. For drinkers drawn to full-bodied, tannic reds with real concentration, Greg Norman Petite Sirah delivers the hallmarks of the grape and the region without overcomplication.