Petite Sirah, 2018. Tahto

Wayne Bauer's passion for winemaking began in the Bay Area in the early 1980's. He would drive a flatbed truck up to Sonoma County, buy 10 tons of grapes, and bring them back to Oakland to press them in his warehouse. After driving with his wife Anne through the Potter Valley, they knew they had found the place they could put down roots - both for themselves and their grapes.

Wayne and Anne started Tahto Wines in Potter Valley in the 1990's. Over the past 20+ years, they have created an idyllic little space on their property along a tributary to the Russian River. They have a small yet lush garden, full of bursting flowers and exuberant tomato vines. They also have an incredibly charming deck that overlooks the peacefully flowing water with beautifully gnarled grape vines that twist along the back half of their property, and a small building where they make their 800 to 1,000 cases of wine a year.

This Petite Sirah has been aged for 12 months in neutral French oak. It has flavors of deep inky black fruit, bittersweet chocolate, and dried herbs. This Petite Sarah will pair nicely with bold and exotic spices and herbs. Pair it with chicken in mole sauce, barbecued beef with a kick, smoked eggplant, or mushroom and caramelized onion stuffed peppers. If pairing this wine with a cheese plate, make sure to include some aged Gouda and Camembert.

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