Guglielmo Petite Sirah

Guglielmo Petite Sirah is a full-bodied California red wine produced in Santa Clara Valley, bottled at approximately 13% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. The 2015 vintage earned a Double Gold medal at the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and Wine Enthusiast has awarded the estate bottling 90 points, praising its subtlety and refined tannins.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Santa Clara Valley, California  |  Varietal: Petite Sirah  |  Winery: Guglielmo Winery, Morgan Hill

Production & Heritage

Guglielmo Winery was established in Morgan Hill in 1925 and remains family-owned, with the Guglielmo family overseeing every phase of winemaking across roughly 50 acres planted to varieties including Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Merlot, and several Italian varietals. The winery still employs massive old redwood tanks — originally built in San Francisco, disassembled, and reconstructed inside the cellar — for aging, a rare holdover from Old World practice that few modern California wineries maintain. Fruit is picked early to preserve natural brightness and keep alcohol levels relatively low for the varietal, then fermented in stainless steel before aging in small oak barrels. This deliberate approach yields a Petite Sirah with more restraint and finesse than many of its bolder California counterparts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark plum and ripe black currant lead, followed by dusty red cherry and subtle cola. A backdrop of bittersweet chocolate and mild white pepper emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is lush with fresh blackberry and blueberry fruit, moving into a mid-palate layered with earthy undertones, gentle spice, and a hint of smoky, barrel-aged sweetness. Tannins are silky rather than aggressive, and the moderate alcohol allows the fruit to stay vivid without tipping into jamminess.

Finish: Medium-plus in length with lingering dark berry pie character and a thread of soft pepper. The oak integration stays measured, leaving a clean, slightly cocoa-dusted close.

How to Drink Guglielmo Petite Sirah

Pour at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and give it 20–30 minutes of air — a decanter helps open the darker fruit layers. This wine also holds up well in robust red-wine cocktails: try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice), where its cola-tinged aromatics amplify the drink's classic profile; in a Red Wine Sangria loaded with stone fruit and cinnamon, where the berry depth adds backbone; or in a New York Sour as the red wine float, where its dark color and plum notes create a striking visual and flavor contrast against whiskey sour underneath.

Best For

• Weeknight grilling sessions featuring smoked ribs or tri-tip
• Introducing Petite Sirah to friends more familiar with Cabernet or Merlot
• Building a California red collection beyond Napa and Sonoma labels
• Gifting wine lovers who appreciate old-vine heritage and family-run estates

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Guglielmo Petite Sirah taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry, blueberry, and dark plum, followed by bittersweet chocolate, soft pepper, and earthy spice. The tannins are refined and silky rather than heavy, with a medium-plus finish.

How does Guglielmo Petite Sirah compare to Concannon Petite Sirah? Concannon holds the distinction of bottling the first varietal-labeled Petite Sirah in 1961 and draws fruit primarily from the Livermore Valley, while Guglielmo sources from its own Santa Clara Valley estate and ages in rare old redwood tanks. Guglielmo tends to pick earlier for lower alcohol and brighter acidity, producing a more restrained style compared to Concannon's typically riper, more fruit-forward profile.

Is Guglielmo Petite Sirah good for sipping neat? Yes — its moderate alcohol (around 13%) and refined tannins make it approachable on its own, especially after brief decanting to let the chocolate and spice notes fully develop.

Where is Guglielmo Petite Sirah made? It is produced at Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill, located in the Santa Clara Valley AVA of California. The family has operated the winery at this location since 1925.

What foods pair well with Guglielmo Petite Sirah? Smoked beef brisket benefits from the wine's dark fruit and pepper; aged cheddar echoes its earthy undertones; eggplant Parmesan complements the soft tannins; dark chocolate desserts mirror its cocoa finish; and lamb sausage with fennel plays well against the wine's subtle spice layers.

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

Is Guglielmo Petite Sirah worth the price? It positions as a value-to-mid-tier California Petite Sirah, punching above its price point with a Double Gold medal and a 90-point Wine Enthusiast score — strong credentials for an estate wine at this level.

Why Guglielmo Petite Sirah?

Few California Petite Sirahs carry nearly a century of continuous family winemaking behind them, and fewer still are aged in heritage redwood tanks that date back to the winery's earliest days. The deliberate early-picking philosophy keeps alcohol in check and preserves a brightness that most Petite Sirahs in this price range sacrifice for sheer power. A 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating and a Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition confirm this is not a relic coasting on nostalgia — it is a thoughtfully made, competition-proven red that delivers dark-fruit richness without overwhelming the palate. For drinkers exploring Petite Sirah beyond the usual Napa and Central Coast labels, Guglielmo represents genuine Santa Clara Valley character backed by real heritage.