Mettler Family Vineyards Petite Sirah

Mettler Family Vineyards Petite Sirah is a 100% Petite Sirah from Lodi, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast for the 2018 vintage and earning multiple Platinum medals at international competitions, this inky, massively concentrated wine has become one of Lodi's benchmark expressions of the varietal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, Mokelumne River, California  |  Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah  |  Vineyard: Mettler Family Vineyards

Production & Heritage

The Mettler family farms in Lodi's Mokelumne River sub-appellation, where patriarch Larry Mettler developed a proprietary trellis system specifically to manage Petite Sirah — a grape he describes as finicky and difficult to grow for quality. The custom trellising, designed in collaboration with vineyard manager Jason, controls sunlight exposure on each cluster to coax true varietal character from the vine. The estate is certified under the Lodi Rules sustainability program, one of the nation's most rigorous third-party sustainability standards for viticulture. Fruit is sourced from very small vineyard blocks selected for concentration and intensity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Immediately inky and inviting, the nose opens with concentrated blackberry and dark plum before revealing layers of clove, violets, and toasty oak. Underneath, earthy tones and a thread of woodsmoke add seriousness and depth.

Taste: The entry is dense and saturated, with mulberry and black currant fruit arriving alongside a dominant mocha note that anchors the mid-palate. As the wine unfolds, pink grapefruit zest cuts through the richness, while dried herbs transition into tobacco leaf and espresso. Despite massive concentration, the texture remains velvety and generous, with dark chocolate, cassis, and blueberry compote rounding out each sip.

Finish: Long, grippy tannins carry black and blue berry fruit, fall spice, and tamed tar notes well past their welcome. The mocha and espresso echoes linger, leaving a persistent, warming impression that rewards patience.

How to Drink Mettler Petite Sirah

This wine is best served at cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — and benefits from 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to soften its substantial tannins and allow the aromatic layers to fully open. A broad-bowled red wine glass concentrates the dark fruit and spice aromatics.

While a wine of this concentration shines on its own, it also holds up in hearty wine-based preparations: a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) works surprisingly well with Petite Sirah's mocha backbone; a classic Sangria benefits from the wine's intense dark fruit and spice; and a warm Mulled Wine lets the existing clove and dried herb character meld naturally with traditional spices.

Best For

• Pairing with smoked brisket, braised short ribs, or other bold red-meat dishes
• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who gravitates toward full-bodied, tannic styles
• Building a cellar — the tannin structure and concentration support medium-term aging
• Weekend dinners where a single bottle needs to anchor a multi-course meal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mettler Petite Sirah taste like? It delivers deeply concentrated dark fruit — blackberry, blueberry, cassis — anchored by a prominent mocha and espresso character, with secondary notes of tobacco leaf, dried herbs, and dark chocolate wrapped in grippy but velvety tannins.

How does Mettler Petite Sirah compare to Bogle Petite Sirah? Both are 100% Petite Sirah from Lodi, but the Mettler bottling is notably more concentrated and tannic, sourced from small estate blocks grown on a proprietary trellis system. Bogle's version is generally lighter in body and positioned at a lower price tier, making Mettler the more structured, cellar-worthy option.

Is Mettler Petite Sirah good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered aromatics, velvety texture, and long finish make it an excellent choice for drinking on its own, though decanting for at least 30 minutes significantly improves the experience.

Where is Mettler Petite Sirah made? It is produced by Mettler Family Vineyards in the Mokelumne River sub-appellation of Lodi, located in California's Central Valley, a region recognized as one of the top growing areas for Petite Sirah in the United States.

What foods pair well with Mettler Petite Sirah? Smoked brisket or pulled pork matches the wine's smoky, tannic backbone. Braised lamb shanks complement its herbal and earthy layers. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the toasty oak notes. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the mocha and espresso flavors. Hearty mushroom risotto bridges the earthy, concentrated fruit character.

What sizes does Mettler Petite Sirah come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Mettler Petite Sirah worth the price? It positions as a premium Lodi Petite Sirah, and the 93-point Wine Enthusiast score alongside multiple Platinum medals at international competitions place it well above its price tier in terms of critical recognition. For the concentration and complexity delivered, it represents strong value within the broader California Petite Sirah category.

Why Mettler Petite Sirah?

What separates this wine from other Lodi Petite Sirahs starts in the vineyard: Larry Mettler's proprietary trellis system was engineered specifically to manage this notoriously difficult grape, and the results show in the wine's unusually pure varietal expression. A 93-point score from Wine Enthusiast, Platinum Awards at both the Monterey International Wine Competition and San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge, and a Silver at the 2024 Critics Challenge underscore consistent quality across multiple vintages. The Lodi Rules sustainability certification adds a layer of accountability that many competitors in the region lack. For anyone serious about Petite Sirah as a varietal, this bottling stands as one of Lodi's most compelling examples — concentrated, structured, and built with genuine vineyard-level intention.