"PetitSyrah" news and stories

'New York Jew' wine. Photo: Eric Scheffer

Didja hear the one about the wine called "New York Jew"?

We're not making this up: Although the punchlines practically write themselves -- "this bottle's got three varietals and four opinions, folks" -- the North Carolina restaurateur behind this new vino swears he's serious.

Eric Scheffer, who worked with Pat Roney and Leslie Rudd of the North Coast's Windsor Vineyards to create the new-this-month red blend of Cabernet and Petit Syrah grapes that comprise his New York Jew label, says sales have been tremendous.

"I can't keep cases of it in the restaurant," says Scheffer, a Brooklyn native who opened Savoy in Asheville, N.C., more than a decade ago. "I have people in Detroit and Chicago asking how they can get the wine. I have people driving up from Florida for it."