In 1978, Pine Ridge Vineyards was founded on a steeply terraced hillside flanked by a dramatic ridgeline of stately pine trees in the storied Stags Leap district. The founder was convinced that the Napa Valley was an ideal growing region for Cabernet Sauvignon and other noble Bordeaux grape varieties. More than 35 years have passed and this conviction has certainly proven to be true. As Napa Valley’s reputation has grown, so have the reputation and vineyard holdings of Pine Ridge Vineyards. Today, the esteemed winery is a showcase for exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon with prime vineyard sites planted in five of Napa Valley’s most renowned AVAs: four in the Stags Leap district, two in Rutherford, three in Carneros, one in Howell Mountain, and one in Oakville.
This range of vineyards yields a variety of fruit, creating a remarkable palette from which Winemaker Michael Beaulac can blend. Michael joined Pine Ridge Vineyards in 2009 after a distinguished career at some of the most highly regarded wineries in Sonoma County and the Napa Valley. He says he’s continually inspired by this unique opportunity to work with the finest fruit from five appellations across the Napa Valley to produce elegant, balanced wines that retain their fruit quality and exquisitely express the terroir of the vineyards from which they came. Since Michael’s arrival at Pine Ridge Vineyards, the wines have received increasingly positive critical acclaim, including several 90-plus point ratings.
Pine Ridge Vineyards was named one of the 75 Best Wineries to Visit in California by Food & Wine and offers an array of wine tasting experiences for every palate. Guests may opt for an Estate Tasting at the bar with a wine educator, or they may choose a more in-depth wine country experience. The winery offers a 90-minute educational tour of the estate vineyards, production facilities, and wine caves, followed by a seated wine and cheese pairing in the Cabernet Caves. When weather permits, guests may enjoy Taste on the Terrace and taste a selection of estate appellation wines paired with a chef prepared platter of cheese and charcuterie while enjoying the breathtaking views from the winery’s terrace. Wine lovers and gourmands seeking an exceptional food and wine pairing experience may opt for a 5×5 Tasting in Cellar 47, an intimate setting within the winery’s Cabernet Caves, which includes five estate wines paired with chef prepared delicacies.
Pine Ridge Vineyards also has an excellent special events department and offers a variety of magnificent dining experiences for special events involving groups large or small. Guests enjoy stunning multiple-course meals prepared by the in-house winery chef and expertly paired with Pine Ridge Vineyards estate wines in an unforgettable setting— deep within the winery’s Cabernet Caves among barrels of aging wine with a beautiful glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly as a backdrop.
Guests of the winery may also explore the property’s fascinating and informative demonstration vineyard and beautiful estate gardens while they visit and discover the splendid and diverse flavors of the Napa Valley in Pine Ridge Vineyards’ distinctive portfolio of wines.
For more information, please visit pineridgevineyards.com pineridgevineyards.com.