Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Preeminent Petite Sirah growers, producers, and industry professionals

Will gather once more to discuss Petite Sirah

Concannon Vineyard

Further details to be announced shortly…

POST EVENT

Laurie Daniel, in Chain Leader, Petite sirah, pedigree intact, gains new stature, Published by the Bay Area News Group (8/18/09)

Laurie Daniel, in Inside Bay Area, Petite sirah, pedigree intact, gains new stature, Published by the Bay Area News Group (8/18/09)

Laurie Daniel, in the San Jose Mercury News, Petite sirah, pedigree intact, gains new stature, Published by the Bay Area News Group (8/18/09)

Laurie Daniel, in the Contra Costa Times, Petite sirah, pedigree intact, gains new stature, Published by the Bay Area News Group (8/18/09)

Livermore Independent, Turning Blue over Petite Sirah, by Laura Ness (8/13/09)

Wine-blog.org: Images From the Symposium (8/13/09)

D. Marc Capobianco of Sostevinobile.blog: Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. (8/10/09)

All a Twitter: Lowell Jacobson

• @WineLibrary @kahuna75 — big surPriSe from the PSymPoSium tasting was Edwards 2004 PS (Ramona Valley). AMAZING. SEEK IT OUT. Aug 10, 2009
• is still glowing from the PSymPoSium. @Jopetitesirah is my fairy godmother :-). Aug 5, 2009
• is heading out to the PSymPoSium tonight! http://petitesirahsymposium.com . will you be there too? @PSychospath me and let me know! Aug. 3, 2009

Clark Smith of GrapeCrafter posts on YouTube ~ (810/09) Ken Payton has crafted a exquisite, revelation story on his wine blog, PS I Love You, Tasting Petite Sirah At Concannon ~ (8/7/09) Wine writer

Laura Ness captures the heart and soul of Petite’s state-of-the-union, in an article on Wine Business’ Daily site ~ Petite-o-Files Gather in Livermore for 7th Annual Symposium. ~ (8/05/09)

Rusty Eddy wine blogging of Clayhouse Wines revels the interesting data now accumulated on behalf of Petite Sirah ~ Petite Sirah Growth Curve. ~ (8/05/09)

Wine writer, winemaker, GrapeCrafter, bon vivant Clark Smith has some very strong and important opinions about PS ~ Don’t Call it Durif. ~ (8/05/09)

Lowell Jacobson of The PSychos’ Path is sPeechleSs after attending the Symposium. ~ (8/05/09)

WineCountry.com has a story by Courtney Cochran about finding PS a variety to brag about; and, in one of the comments, a person briefly mentioned that there was a symposium ~ P.S. I Love You. ~ (7/21/09)

PRE-EVENT

Lowell Jacobson of The PSychos’ Path prepares to fly from the Eastside to the Westside ~ (8/3/09)

Wine-blog.org: Media Tasting Component ~ (7/23/09)

All a Twitter:

My latest post: Petite Sirah Symposium Has a New Feature this Year – a Media Tasting: For ... 8:28 AM Jul 23rd from twitterfeed Wine Business’s Daily Website: The Seventh Annual Petite Sirah Symposium Coming August 4th ~ (7/15/09)

Wine Industry Insight’s Lewis Purdue gives the Symposium a plug:  Seventh Annual Petite Sirah Noble Symposium ~ Agenda Lowell Jacobson of The PSychos’ Path talks about the upcoming Symposium.  ~ (6/2/09)

Wine-blog.org: 7th Annual Petite Sirah Symposium Registrations On-Line Now Accepted  1 ~ (5/18/09)

Wine-blog.org: The Seventh Annual Petite Sirah Symposium ~ (3/16/09)

On August 4, 2009, Concannon Vineyard successfully became the new location for the Annual Petite Sirah Symposium. With the exception of 2008’s hiatus, after six consecutive years, industry leaders again gathered to discuss and learn the latest regarding this cultivar. A one-year hiatus became necessary, with no certainty that the symposium would continue, as it no longer had a sponsor. Concannon Vineyard accepted the role as the event’s benefactor, feeling that the event needed to continue, not only for the sake of the variety, but also for the sake of maintaining the forward momentum that had been achieved over the last seven years regarding Petite Sirah.

This year’s Seventh Annual Symposium proved to be an immense draw. With a stellar lineup of Petite Sirah talent, the Seventh Annual Petite Sirah Symposium doubled its size from all previous symposiums.

The included charts demonstrate the growth of Petite Sirah as a labeled variety and planted vitis vinifera. Please note that when the First Annual Symposium began in 2002, there were only 65 growers and producers combined. Seven years later, there are now 620 producers and 120 growers, equaling 740 combined growers and producers. This is astounding growth for any cultivar.

Concannon Vineyard is where the first Petite Sirah was produced and varietally labeled. It made perfect sense that the symposium had found its way back to its Livermore Valley roots, where it all began. In 1964, Jim Concannon released a first Petite Sirah ever, with a 1961 vintage. Today, I think of Jim as the father of Petite Sirah in the United States. He’s now a quiet leader, enjoying the fruits of that labor. We were very fortunate to have him as our host at the symposium. It was just perfect.

Petite Sirah producers came from as far away as Roseburg, Oregon, and Barona Valley, California, with everything in between, while Petite Sirah wine blogger Lowell Jacobson of PSychoS Path, the self proclaimed PS “nuts about it fan,” flew in from Washington DC to attend.

Christian Miller, of Full Glass Research (www.fullglassresearch.com) has become one of the variety’s best resources for marketing investigation on growth and marketing of Petite. He’s attended several PS symposiums, and each time has taken his presentations very seriously. Pre the event, Christian conducts copious amounts of research, and then delivers that particular year’s findings. This year’s presentation demonstrated to PS industry leaders what they can now do to capitalize on his market findings, in order to grow their own brands. A page from his presentation is part of this blog, with his permission, along with the PSILY chart information that I’ve been gathering for the last seven years.

You be the judge on this one. I personally believe - and have long believed - that PS will be center stage one day as an American Heritage cultivar, deserving of the respect that’s built over the years with the PS I Love You movement and very Pet friendly media, trade, and consumers.

QUESTION: Is there any other grape variety in the US that has had seven symposiums in order to learn and improve upon the cultivar that you know of? Just curious…

Related articles by Zemanta

• PS I Love You, Tasting Petite Sirah At Concannon (reignofterroir.com)
• PSymPoSium (psychospath.com)
• Seventh Annual Petite Sirah Noble Symposium ~ Agenda (wineindustryinsight.com)

If pictures are worth a thousand words, and having to process each thumbnail takes about 10 minutes per photo, this blog posting just took a lot more time than it would have taken me to write my usual 1,000. I’ve left the details to others, now, since I shared so much on the front end. I was very fortunate to have Jose Diaz photographing during the event, and most of these images are his. A few are also mine. The rest is history.

The event’s now got lots of people buzzing. Chick here for that Buzz. This posting just visually supports their thoughts.

It took seven months to plan. My husband/partner Jose created a WordPress blog for me, so I could manage on all the details as they developed at PetiteSirahSymposium.com. This site will stay there, and develop all things new about the symposium, including upcoming dates, topics, speakers, etc. for as long as this gig has life in it.

L to R ~ Top Collage: 1) Jim Concannon, 2) John Clark and Julian Halasz (Concannon), 3) David Gates (Ridge), 4) Bob Biale (Robert Biale Vineyards) and Bill Pease (Madrigal)

L to R ~ Bottom Collage: 1) Christian Miller (Full Glass Research), 2) Jim Ryan (Concannon), 3) Mike Anderson (UC Davis) and Patty Bogle (Bogle Vineyards), 4) Mike Anderson, Roger King (Suisun Valley Grape Growers Association), and Chris Smith (Bogle), John Monnich (Silkwood Wines and Kelpak)

Our new location at Concannon in Livermore exceeded even my wildest dreams. I, at least, had been to Concannon before, during, and after their $30 million renaissance, so I knew what to expect. What I didn’t expect, however, was how my operations partner Jim Ryan would pour his heart and soul into every logistical detail. I asked for this, that, and the next thing, and he delivered in ways I just didn’t see coming.

The meeting room was set for 98 people, and only a few people didn’t show, as always happens at any event. Lunch under their arbor was exquisite from my own observations, and that of everyone else commenting to me after lunch. Concannon Vineyard pulled out all the stops… as it were.

The traditional tasting of each others wines went really well, as did the media tasting after lunch.

I have my front line learning list, something that has to happen after every single event. As I told someone at the symposium, if there weren’t things I could improve upon, the event would be on the decline. I pay attention to details. I’ve started my list, and will ask for feedback, too, from those who attended.

For those of you who didn’t get to attend for one reason or another, here are the images. Perhaps you’ll be able to make the next one. A lot of PS information was shared for the better development of this variety.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 7th Annual Petite Sirah Symposium Registrations On-Line Now Accepted (wine-blog.org)
• Seventh Annual Petite Sirah Noble Symposium ~ Agenda (wineindustryinsight.com)
• Petite Sirah Symposium Has a New Feature this Year - a Media Tasting (wine-blog.org)

Thanks to everyone who has registered.

This year’s Seventh Annual PS Symposium promises to be the best ever, and we look forward to seeing everyone on August 4, 2009, at Concannon Vineyard in Livermore Valley!

There is virtually no more room, if you still have interest and didn’t get to register.

We’re sorry if you missed this year’s symposium.

Please check this Website for continual updates for future Symposium events.

PS I Love You is very pleased to announce the sponsorship of four wine industry trade publications/magazines:

1. Practical Winery and Vineyard (www.practicalwinery.com)
2. Wine Business Monthly (www.winebusiness.com)
3. Wine Industry Insight (wineindustryinsight.com)
4. Wines & Vines (www.winesandvines.com)

This kind of industry support is critical to the success of any event, and greatly appreciated by all.

The Symposium is always a time of membership development. This year is no different than past years. PS growers and producers are joining PSILY as they register. To date:

1. Aver Vineyards
2. Edwards Vineyard & Cellars
3. Fortress Vineyards
4. Justice Grace Vineyards
5. Maley Brothers
6. Morse Wines
7. Oakstone Winery
8. Occasio Winery
9. Spangler Vineyards
10. Szabo Vineyards
11. Tres Sabores
12. Vincenza Ranch and Vineyard

Group Rates for Overnight Accommodations ~ Just click on the tab to the right under “Accommodations” for details of two selected Livermore hotels:

1. EXTENDED STAY AMERICA - LIVERMORE ~ $59/night
   
2. COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT - LIVERMORE ~ $99/night
   

WHEN: Tuesday, August 4, 2009

WHERE: Concannon Vineyard, 4596 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA

EVENT SCHEDULE ~ AGENDA

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. ~ Registration

8:30 - 8:40 a.m. ~ Welcome ~ Jim Concannon & John Concannon, Concannon Vineyard

8:40 - 8:50 a.m ~ Individual Introductions: Including Natalie Alvanez, Tri-Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau

8:50 - 9:10 a.m. ~  SESSION I ~ HERITAGE CLONE VINEYARD ~ UPDATE
Patty Bogle, Bogle Vineyards, Mike Anderson and Dr. James Wolpert, University of California at Davis

9:10 - 9:30 a.m. ~ SESSION II ~ MARKETING: Chef Patrick David and Jim Ryan of Concannon, Patrick David’s Catering
Petite Sirah… Great food and wine pairing recommendations

9:30 - 9:50 a.m. ~ SESSION III ~ MARKETING: Christian Miller, Full Glass Research
Statistical growth of Petite Sirah and where it seems to be headed

10:20 - 10:40 a.m. ~ SESSION IV ~ ENOLOGY, PART I: Julian Halasz and John Clark, Concannon Vineyard
Tannin Control: sharing protocols being used to achieve more ‘forgiving’ tannins

10:40 - 11:00 a.m. ~ SESSION V ~  ENOLOGY, PART II: Chris Smith, Bogle Vineyards
Port and Port-style wine making using PS

11:00 - 11:20 a.m. ~ SESSION VI~  VITICULTURE, PART I: David Gates, Ridge Vineyards
Hang time, clonal selections, vine age

11:20 - 11:40 a.m. ~ SESSION VII ~ VITICULTURE, PART II : John Monnich, Silkwood Wines
Tight cluster reduction: help eliminate bunch rot by increasing air around berries

11:40 - 12:00 p.m. ~ SESSION VIII:  VITICULTURE, PART III:  Bill Pease, Madrigal Vineyards: Bob Biale, Robert Biale
Excellent regeneration of root systems with old PS vineyards

BEST OF THE PETS TASTING ~ 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Jim and John Concannon
Hosts from Concannon Vineyard

ANNUAL LUNCH ~ 1:00 ~ 2:00 p.m.

MEDIA TASTING ~ 2:00 ~ 3:30 p.m.

PS I Love You would like to thank our sponsor Concannon Vineyard, for making the 7th Annual Petite Sirah Symposium possible.

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• The Seventh Annual Petite Sirah Symposium, August 4, 2009 (wine-blog.org)