“There is nothing petite about Petite Sirah. It’s like a St. Bernard that wants to sit in your lap. It’s big.” – John Concannon

Nothing petite about this deal either. A pair of flagship Reserves for one insane price! Like those kittens at the shelter that are bonded and can’t be taken separately.

You read that right; it’s almost a BOGO on CULT Petite Sirah. For just $66, you get one bottle each of Captain Joe’s and Nina’s Cuvée. Winery direct only releases. Counterparts for life. BIG deal, indeed.

Per International Wine Review, “Petite Sirah has maintained a loyal cult following over the years owing to the enthusiastic support of its pioneer producers such as Jim Concannon.” And according to Jonathan Cristaldi, “Concannon famously imported vines from Bordeaux’s Château Margaux and Château d’Yquem, and made and introduced America’s first varietally labeled Petite Sirah in 1964 (from the 1961 vintage). Concannon Vineyard also became home to the renowned Concannon Cabernet Clones 7, 8, and 11 (a collaboration between Jim Concannon and the University of California at Davis) in 1965. Currently, an estimated 80% of California’s Cabernet Sauvignon vines are planted to these Concannon Clones.”

Over the decades, Concannon began crafting special small-lot reserve tiers - namely Captain Joe’s and Nina’s Cuvée - sourced from choice estate blocks (such as 11 and 12) to showcase distinct, highly age-worthy expressions of their signature grape. One is named after Joe Concannon (son of founder James Concannon), while the other honors Nina Concannon, Joe’s mother and James’ wife.

Still on the fence about Livermore wines? Cristaldi & Co. puts the spotlight on, “For those of you who are into balanced alcohols and elegant, food-friendly wines, I strongly urge you to spend a few days in the Livermore Valley… Another reason? The price of wine is unbeatable for the quality.”

These two work like yin and yang, which is why we present them as an inseparable pair; they MUST be enjoyed side by side, with the heartiest fare to pair ready once you decipher the nuances they share and set them apart. Captain Joe’s is on the masculine side of PS, brawny with savory tannins and jammy wild berries, while Nina’s Cuvée takes a trip to the Rhône lineage, hefty while elegant, graceful while spicy. Both have longevity and balance in their DNA, while accentuating the diversity of the great vineyards of Concannon through subtle variations in how each block translates into the final glasses. Brilliant stuff!

What IWR said, “Petite Sirah possesses many wonderful attributes. It has the finish of great Syrah, the fruit of ripe Zinfandel, and the complexity and balance of the best Cabernet Sauvignons.”

A thrill ride is coming your way. One question remains, is your palate ready?!

Joe’s: 94 Points – Cristaldi & Co. “The old casks in the Concannon winery - large-format barrels from Demptos and Seguin Moreau dating back to the early 1970s - were originally intended for ageing Petite Sirah. This wine was aged for 16 months in French and Hungarian oak and comes entirely from Concannon’s estate: Block 11 and the head-trained vines of Block 1. It’s a power-packed wine with a real freshness factor. All that classic Petite Sirah character is here—earthy, rich, and plummy fruit layered with mocha and warm Indian spice. The tannins are big, rich, and hearty, with a granular, brambly quality that builds across the mineral-driven finish. Notes of violets, graphite, and pressed florals burst through, giving the wine lift and dimension. Drink 2025-2035.”

Nina’s: 92 Points – Wine Enthusiast “Opaque, with aromas of boysenberry, black plum, violets, and toasted vanilla that are intense on the nose; the flavors are juicy blackberry, blueberry, grilled orange peel sprinkled with a graham cracker crust. This is what you need on a cold night with braised lamb shank.”