Stokes' Ghost Petite Sirah 2013

Petite Sirah was first found growing in France in the mid-1800’s. It’s loved for its extraordinary deep color and full-bodied flavors of blueberry, chocolate, plums and black pepper. Despite its popularity, Petite Sirah is an exceptionally rare grape with less than 10,000 planted acres worldwide, growing mainly in California.

James Stokes was a British sailor who jumped ship in Monterey in 1833, passing himself off as a doctor with medicine stolen from the boat. Despite killing a significant number of patients, Stokes was appointed personal physician to Governor Jose Figueroa. Within a year, the governor was dead. Stokes sons confronted him and he ingested poison, falling lifeless at their feet. The adobe home in which Stokes lived still stands and a man dressed in 1800s garb is often seen climbing the stairs and passing through walls. This is Stokes' Ghost.