Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Pine Ridge Vineyards has been a leader in crafting iconic Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Stags Leap District since 1978. Our winery lies tucked beneath a ridge of pines, with a full view of the rugged outcropping of palisades that speak to the dramatic geologic origins of our home and its world-famous soils. Today, our estate vineyards span four additional appellations within Napa Valley — Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros —and they are dedicated to producing powerful expressions of each distinct terroir.
Their winery and all of their estate vineyards are Napa Green Certified, with a fully customized conservation program for each site to encourage and protect biodiversity.
The vineyards just inland from the Sacramento River Delta, along the deep banks of the Sacramento River, comprise the Clarksburg AVA. The River Delta channels in cold air and fog from the Pacific Ocean creating a cooling effect in this area. Warm summer days quickly change to chilly evenings and make a great environment for grape growing. While a range of grape varieties grow here, Chenin blanc stands out the most, distinguishing itself in the appellation.
The Clarksburg Wine Growers and Vintners Association, made up of nearly 50 grower members and over a dozen wineries, has been working since the late 1980s to promote the high quality wine of its region.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
