After serving in the U.S. Calvary under Gen. John Pershing and Lt. George Patton, James’ son, Capt. Joe, returned home to lead the winery. A visionary winemaker and staunch defender of freedom, he also led in the anti-Prohibition movement; and, then during Prohibition, it was Capt. Joe who kept Concannon continuously open and operating as one of only a select few wineries licensed to make, bottle and sell sacramental wine under its own family label. As a result, Capt. Joe protected Concannon’s treasured Bordeaux and European vines which he believed would one day serve well in re-establishing a thriving California wine region. Also during Prohibition, Capt. Joe introduced America’s first varietal wine label with his 1922 and 1925 bottled Rieslings. In the 1920s, he was also a first to bottle red Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon as varietal wines. Prepared and ready to help re-introduce high quality wine to the American table, at Repeal, Capt. Joe was first in shipping fine wines to Seattle and many cities, coast-to-coast. In 1934, he became a founding member of the Wine Institute to help reintroduce best winegrowing practices and rebuild a successful California wine industry. Later, his friend, André Tchelistcheff, “the dean of American winemakers,” credited Capt. Joe with having first described to him the scent that would guide him to the perfect Pinot Noir, thus setting the benchmark for California Pinot Noir.

Inspired by Captain Joe Concannon’s strength and enduring spirit, this bold, small-lot Petite Sirah opens with deep layers of blackberry and ripe plum grounded by rustic earth and dark spice. Structured and complex yet inviting, the palate delivers rich, concentrated fruit supported by firm tannins and a lasting, powerful finish. A commanding wine with depth and character, crafted to honor a legacy that helped shape California wine.

A majority of the grapes in this wine are sourced from Block 1 Heritage Vineyard. This site is a well-drained, alluvial plain with deposits of gravel and rock that contribute to the consistent production of outstanding Petite Sirah grapes year after year. The vineyard is planted in 4’ x 8’ rows of head-trained vines. The remaining portion of the grapes comes from Block 11.