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Pride Mountain Vineyards
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A twisting twenty-minute drive from St. Helena to the west, or Santa Rosa to the east, rewards visitors with a stunning vista of the rugged St. Helena Mountain to the northeast and verdant vineyards rising to the sky in all directions. Pride Mountain Vineyards is a 170-acre estate with a wooden-beamed, modest-sized winery that blends into its mountainous surroundings and California heritage. The casual tasting room sports two boards held up by old oak barrels. There, wine enthusiasts can sample the latest vintages with a knowledgeable, approachable staff member. County regulations require that visitors hold an appointment. Those joining the Pride Mountain crew for a morning tour will see the property's other features. Beside the winery, the crush pad is bisected by a brick inlay that defines the Napa/Sonoma County line. Walking into the caves, the temperature drops to the high 50s, humidity rises, and the visitor is greeted with the heady aromas of wine and oak. Over 2,100 feet of subterranean storage winds naturally under the hillside, opening out into a glass-enclosed space overlooking the vineyards and the northern Napa Valley. Back into the bright sun, then down the single lane road, the imposing 1890 ruin of the original Summit Ranch winery looms through the fir and oak. The three-story winery was used to crush fruit grown on this and neighboring properties until Prohibition. The four walls are now silent, but provide a peaceful spot for an afternoon picnic or winemaker's dinner. Jim and Carolyn Pride have reason to be pleased with the combination of restoration and innovation, of form and function, and hope each visitor leaves with a warmer and better understanding of winemaking.
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Directions
From Highway 101: Take 101 North to Santa Rosa. Take the Sonoma-Sebastopol / Highway 12 exit. Stay to the right following the Highway 12 toward Sonoma signs. Go 1.4 miles to the stoplight at Farmer's Lane. Turn left on Farmer's Lane. Go .9 miles in the right hand lane to Highway 12. Turn right on Highway 12 (signs will also say Valley of the Moon and Sonoma Highway). Go 2.4 miles to Calistoga Rd. Turn left on Calistoga Rd. Go 3.3 miles to St. Helena Rd. Turn right on St. Helena Rd. Go 6.1 miles to the ranch driveway - number 9175. There is a sign at the bottom of the driveway that reads "Pride."
Note: Check your mileage at the bottom of St. Helena Rd. House numbers may not appear to be consecutive. From Highway 29: From Napa, take Highway 29 North to the third traffic light in St. Helena and turn left on Madrona. (From Calistoga, take Highway 29 South and turn right on Madrona at the first traffic light in St. Helena.) Go three blocks up Madrona and take a right on Spring Mountain Road-the sign will say Santa Rosa - 20 miles. Go 5.5 miles up Spring Mountain Rd. to the ranch driveway - number 9175. There is a sign at the bottom of the driveway that reads "Pride." Note: Spring Mountain Rd. peaks at the Napa/Sonoma county line, and Smith-Madrone Rd. bears off to the right. Stay on Spring Mountain Rd.! As the road goes downhill you will see the driveway on the right.
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Cabernet Franc
Low crop levels in the 2003 vintage were disappointing, but served to intensify the already delightful character of our Cabernet Franc. Blended with 25% Merlot, this remarkable wine is virtually opaque in its deep ruby hue. Aromas and flavors of boysenberry, red currant and fresh sage gush from its rich and explosive mid-palate, followed by ripe blueberry, espresso and deep chocolate flavors in the finish.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Making their debut in 2003, our youngest Cabernet Sauvignon vines (located on the Sonoma portion of our mountaintop property) make a stunning contribution to the first Pride Cabernet bearing a label that indicates our estate’s unique position straddling the county line. (If you haven’t been here to stand on the crush pad with one foot in each county, it makes a great photo op!) Differing from the Pride Cab you know and love only in labeling, the bright cherry and clove aromas in this elegantly muscular wine indicate a thoroughly rich and ripe Cabernet. Cassis and currant flavors envelope the palate, framed by a full and even tannin spectrum. Enjoyable in its youth as all of the Pride wines are, ample acidity and brightness of fruit guarantee the long-term aging potential of this beautiful wine.
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Chardonnay
Signifying a slight change of direction while not forgetting what you love about our Chardonnay, 2004 is the first vintage of Pride Chardonnay where we have reduced the percentage of new oak and malolactic fermentation. The resulting wine displays a charming delicacy and a bright acidity. The only wine we produce from non-estate fruit, the honey and lemon flavors characteristic of the Carneros region flood the palate, enhanced by the very subtle use of French Oak barrels. A long, languorous finish encourages you to linger over every sip.
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Merlot
Built more like a Cabernet Sauvignon than a Merlot, this powerhouse vintage of 100% Merlot is as firm and extracted as can be, with an amazing concentration of color, ripe black fruit flavors and aromas. Currant and cassis, cocoa and espresso bean elements are jam-packed into this gentle giant, coating the entire palate with soft chewy tannins that melt away in a two-minute long finish.
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Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
The richest vineyard blocks are barrel aged for an additional six months, bottled in extremely small quantities. These 100% varietals are then bottle aged for eight months prior to release. This wine is produced in extremely limited quantities and is made available only to our most loyal consumers.
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Reserve Claret
Again, the richest lots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are blended and given six months additional barrel aging. The Claret is also blended with traces of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot for complexity and texture. Release follows eight months of bottle aging. This wine is produced in extremely limited quantities and is made available only to our most loyal consumers.
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Viognier
Rich in mouth-feel, yet balanced with bright acidity, this 100% Viognier expresses our mountain terroir with fresh flavors of white stone-fruits and enticing aromas of citrus blossom and gardenias. Exclusively neutral barrels were used for fermenting and aging to maintain the focus on the beautifully articulate mountain-grown Viognier fruit. A delicious spiciness lolls on the tongue in a long, lingering and unforgettable finish.
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