Pride Vertical Tasting at Wine Watch

"A person with increasing knowledge and sensory education may derive infinite enjoyment from wine."  - Ernest Hemingway

I am trying to increase my knowledge about wine every day and tasting is probably the best way to evaluate and educate the senses about the differences from one bottle to the next. 

Sometimes when I am trying to come up with at theme for my next tasting I just look around the store and see what we have in stock.  Yesterday, I happened to notice a few bottles of older vintage Pride hanging around and decided not only to send out an offering on this outstanding Napa/Sonoma producer but to take down a few of these personally with a few of my wine drinking people on Friday October 3rd.

This is my reason d'etre and I would much rather drink these incredible wines than sell them but we need to keep the lights on here …and the air conditioning. 

Don’t worry if you have reservations for the California Cult tasting that was scheduled on this night is still happening but we had to move this tasting to the next Friday, October 10th. 

Tonight we will taste through 10 different vintage wines from Pride Vineyards and Wine Watch Caterings chef Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines, this is a sit down pre-poured tasting and is limited to 15 tasters.   The fee for this tasting is $125 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Pride Vineyards Offering and Vertical Tasting at Wine Watch

Friday October 3th

7pm

Tasting Line-up:

2000 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Napa/Sonoma Price: $82.00       Sale $72.16 Quantity in Stock: 2

(9O points) Intense and vibrant, with a tight band of spicy currant, anise, mineral and sage. Young and backward, it needs time to soften and evolve. Best from 2004 through 2012. 3,178 cases made. “JL Issue: Feb 28, 2003

2000 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Price: $93.00       Sale $81.84 Quantity in Stock: 8

(89 Points)  Sleek and elegant, with pretty scents of blackberry and sandlewood, turning elegant and polished. Well-structured, with firm, integrated tannins and a long, complex finish. Drink now through 2009. 900 cases made. –JL  Wine Spectator, Issue: Nov 15, 2003

2001 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Napa/Sonoma Price: $130.00    Sale $114.40 Quantity in Stock: 22

(93+ points) The dense ruby/purple 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a big, cedary, spice box, creme de cassis, crushed rock and earthy-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, juicy and succulent with good acidity, freshness and vibrancy, it is approaching its plateau of maturity. Another 2-3 years of cellaring will not harm it, and it is capable of lasting another 15+ years. It is an impressive, mountain-styled, pure, generous Cabernet Sauvignon. These impressive 2001s from Pride Mountain Vineyards were made during the regime of Bob Foley and the late Jim Pride. The two most limited production cuvees are the Reserve Claret and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which are almost impossible to find. Wine Advocate # 195 Jun 2011

2001 Pride Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa/Sonoma Price: $316.00    Sale $278.06 Quantity in Stock: 7

(98+ points) Remarkably, the 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon may be even better. Staggeringly pure notes of creme de cassis, violets, licorice and graphite soar from the glass of this inky/purple-colored wine. Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot, and tasting like it is 2-3 years old, it is a stunningly pure, rich, full-bodied, prodigious example of high elevation mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that will not reach full maturity for another 5-7 years, and should age beautifully for another two decades or more. It is a magical wine to smell, taste and contemplate. These impressive 2001s from Pride Mountain Vineyards were made during the regime of Bob Foley and the late Jim Pride. The two most limited production cuvees are the Reserve Claret and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which are almost impossible to find. Wine Advocate # 195 Jun 2011

2002 Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot Vintner's Select Mountain Top Vineyard Price: $89.00       Sale $78.32

(93 points) Ratcheting up the level of concentration, complexity, and persistence in the mouth is the 2002 Merlot Vintner’s Select (400 cases). An opulent, heady wine that reveals gorgeously melted toffee notes intermixed with blackberry and cherry liqueur, a hint of smoke, underbrush, and fabulous power and richness, this is extraordinarily pure, dense wine that is about as good as Merlot can be in California. Drink it over the next decade. Readers who love the Bob Foley style of wines, and there seem to be many who do, should also know that he produces wines under his own name, and is also the winemaker for Switchback Ridge and Hourglass, two other up-and-coming estates. Wine Advocate # 157 Feb 2005

2002 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Price: $165.00    Sale $145.20 Quantity in Stock: 3

(96 Points) The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) reveals an inkier purple color along with a classic nose of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, crushed rocks, and barrique. Surprisingly approachable, long, concentrated, and impressive with flawless integration of wood, tannin, and acidity, it can be enjoyed over the next 15 years. Wine Advocate Issue 162 12/05

2003 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa/Sonoma Price: $227.00    Sale $199.76 Quantity in Stock: 2

(99 points) In contrast, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (14.7% natural alcohol) is an equal part blend of Napa and Sonoma fruit. There is no doubting the Cabernet Sauvignon in this wine! Classic notes of cedarwood, underbrush, licorice, black currants and tobacco leaf are textbook definitions of this varietal. The color is even denser than the Reserve Claret's, and the bouquet offers additional notes of Chinese black tea. Elegant with great acid as well as stunning concentration, richness and a full-bodied mouthfeel, this is another world-class effort that pushes the envelope toward perfection. It is a remarkable success for the vintage, partly due to the fact that the extremes of weather experienced on the valley floor were less problematic for these high altitude sites. It should keep for another 6-10 years.  Wine Advocate #207, Jun 2013

2003 Pride Reserve Claret Napa/Sonoma Price: $170.00    Sale  $149.60 Quantity in Stock: 1

(97 points)  The 2003 Reserve Claret is a blend of 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon that achieved 14.4% alcohol. An exquisite candidate for wine of the vintage, it comes from a vineyard high on the summit of Spring Mountain. Eighty-three percent of the fruit comes from Sonoma and the rest from Napa County as the vineyard sits astride the county lines. Its dark plum/garnet color reveals a slight lightening at the edge. A beautiful nose of cedarwood, forest floor, red and black currants, kirsch and plum is followed by a full-bodied wine with great freshness, a rich, textured mouthfeel and sensational concentration with no heaviness. This is an uplifting, quintessential mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that outperforms the vintage. Just entering its plateau of full maturity, it can be drunk now and over the next decade.  Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013

2009 Pride Reserve Claret Napa/Sonoma List Price: $130.00             Sale $114.40 Quantity in Stock: 2

(94+ points)  The Merlot-based 2009 Claret Reserve is gorgeous. Juicy dark cherries, tobacco, smoke and cloves jump out of the glass. The Merlot gives the wine much of its suppleness, while the Cabernet adds the structure and pure mountain tannin. Even with all of its richness, the 2009 remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The 2009 boasts striking balance and tons of harmony. The blend is two-thirds Merlot and one-third Cabernet Sauvignon. Naturally, the Claret doesn't have the personality of the estate's variety wines, but it is compelling just the same. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.  Wine Advocate #204, Dec 2012

2011 Pride Merlot Napa Price: $67.50       Sale $59.40          Case $689 Quantity in Stock: 7

A sumptuous nose of bright plum, cherry, rose petal, mulberry and walnut introduces an enticing wine that sets the taste buds firing. The palate is layered and lush, expressing undulating waves of red fruit woven together by a rich mid-palate and vibrant acidity. 7% Cabernet Sauvignon from our volcanic Rim Rock block and our rocky Quartz Hill block were blended in to add depth and structure to the wine. While we often describe our Merlot as a "Cab lover's Merlot," the 2011 demonstrates what makes Merlot so lovely and special as a varietal wine – concentration, smooth but full texture, finesse and that elusive X factor that we think of as "lusciousness." Enjoy!

Menu

Selection of Cheese:  Beemster Gouda, Reggiano Parmesian

Beefsteak tomato and burrata Salad with aged balsamic drizzle and herbed olive oil

Cabernet Braised Beef Shortrib with Au gratin Potatoes and corn Succotash

This is a sit down pre-poured tasting and is limited to 15 tasters.  The fee for this tasting is $125 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

All the older releases we have in the store from Pride:

We have a big collection of older vintage wines in stock at the moment and that is why we are drinking some!!

2001 Pride Claret Reserve Napa/Sonoma Price: $265.00    Sale  $233.20 Quantity in Stock: 2

(96+ points) The 2001 Reserve Claret (an intriguing blend of 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) is a massive mountain wine possessing both power and elegance. Its dense saturated ruby/purple color is followed by youthful aromas of creme de cassis, new saddle leather, toasty oak, crushed rocks and spring flowers. Extremely young, vigorous, full-bodied and multidimensional, this is a layered, supple textured wine with enormous fruit and richness as well as a tremendously long finish. One of the most impressive high elevation wines made in northern California, it is capable of lasting another 15-20 years. These impressive 2001s from Pride Mountain Vineyards were made during the regime of Bob Foley and the late Jim Pride. The two most limited production cuvees are the Reserve Claret and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which are almost impossible to find. Wine Advocate # 195 Jun 2011

2002 Pride Claret Reserve Napa/Sonoma Price: $229.00    Sale  $201.52 Quantity in Stock: 2

(97-100 points) The opaque purple-colored 2002 Reserve Claret reveals more aromatic development than the Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as complexity. It boasts chocolate, blackberry, blueberry, currant, and licorice notes, a voluptuous texture, and a luscious personality. Already delicious, it will be impossible to resist young, and will last for 12-15 years. Readers who love the Bob Foley style of wines, and there seem to be many who do, should also know that he produces wines under his own name, and is also the winemaker for Switchback Ridge and Hourglass, two other up-and-coming estates. Wine Advocate # 157 Feb 2005

2003 Pride Sangiovese Napa/Sonoma 500ml Price: $50.00    Sale  $44.00 Quantity in Stock: 5

(88 Points)  The limited production 2003 Sangiovese, which includes 10% Merlot, is only available at the winery. Copious quantities of strawberry, earth, and leathery aromas are followed by a medium-bodied Sangiovese to consume over the next 3-4 years.  The Wine Advocate

2007 Pride Reserve Claret Napa/Sonoma  Price: $180.00    Sale  $158.40 Quantity in Stock: 1

(95 Points) The two most expensive offerings include the 2007 Reserve Claret. Its opaque purple color is followed by a beautiful flowery nose revealing notions of blueberry pie, blackberries, cassis and a hint of vanillin in the background. An opulent, full-bodied red with great depth, purity and richness, it is a blend of 82% Sonoma fruit and 18% Napa fruit. The texture is like a skyscraper and the wine is plush, opulent and ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years.

This brilliant estate, whose vineyards straddle the Napa/Sonoma county line at the top of Spring Mountain, continues to turn out a bevy of exciting wines that first made headlines when Bob Foley was the winemaker. The transition from Foley to the current winemaker, Sally Johnson, has gone flawlessly. Wine Advocate #192, Dec 2010

2010 Pride Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Price: $195.00    Sale  $171.60 Quantity in Stock: 1

(98 points)  The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is already drinking remarkably well with abundant notes of creme de cassis, incense, licorice and spring flowers. Stunningly rich, full-bodied and built like a skyscraper, this wine is intense and full with velvety tannins and an overall impression of a voluptuous, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 10-15 years.   Wine Advocate #209 Oct 2013

Current Releases from Pride Vineyards:

The 2011 vintage was tough for many producers in Napa but it was best up high above the clouds, where the rain did not affect the vineyards as much.  This is the sign of a great producer, when you can turn out excellent wines like these in a challenging year. 

2011 Pride Merlot Napa Price: $67.50       Sale $59.40          Case $689

A sumptuous nose of bright plum, cherry, rose petal, mulberry and walnut introduces an enticing wine that sets the taste buds firing. The palate is layered and lush, expressing undulating waves of red fruit woven together by a rich mid-palate and vibrant acidity. 7% Cabernet Sauvignon from our volcanic Rim Rock block and our rocky Quartz Hill block were blended in to add depth and structure to the wine. While we often describe our Merlot as a "Cab lover's Merlot," the 2011 demonstrates what makes Merlot so lovely and special as a varietal wine – concentration, smooth but full texture, finesse and that elusive X factor that we think of as "lusciousness." Enjoy!

2011 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Napa Price: $82.25       Sale $72.38          Case $839

We are incredibly proud of our 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is a beautiful wine and one that clearly demonstrates the advantages of our unique mountaintop location and of farming our own property with a full-time vineyard crew.  After all of the hard work in the vineyard and in the cellar, the finished wine is just as rich, ripe and balanced as you would expect from us.  The nose is the essence of cabernet sauvignon with concentrated blackberry, plum, cassis, resin and subtle menthol.  On the palate, the wine is round and full while retaining a delightful freshness and a finish that lingers.  This is a wine that will show well early in its evolution but age beautifully, and one that was definitely worth the effort! 

Surprisingly, the timing of the 2011 harvest wound up being quite similar to 2010, with most of our grapes being harvested in early to mid November and fermentations completed in early December.  Individual lots were aged in French oak, about 50% new, for 18 months prior to final blending and bottling in July 2013.

2012 Pride Chardonnay Napa Price: $44.25       Sale $38.94          Case $452

The near-perfect 2012 vintage was a delightful experience.  Our vines set a balanced crop which hung through a long, dry summer and ripened several weeks earlier than the previous year.  The warmer vintage produced a Chardonnay with a full, rich body, while the earlier pick date allowed us to maintain a lively acidity in the finished wine.  Exuberant aromas of Bosc pear, apple, floral notes and a subtle minerality build to a beautiful choreography on the palate, leading to a finish that lingers long in the mouth.  This is a classic chardonnay in its best sense – pure, pretty, and thoroughly charming. 

Three parcels of grapes were hand-harvested on September 19th, October 3rd and October 6th.  The grapes were pressed and then fermented in French oak, about 25% new, and were aged on the lees for nine months.  Individual lots were blended and the finished wine bottled in July 2013.

2010 Pride Syrah Sonoma Price: $69.75       Sale $61.38          Case $712

Up here at Pride Mountain Vineyards, we have some passionate fans of syrah as a grape varietal, including both Steve Pride and myself. For us, the 2010 offering displays all of the characteristics of this mercurial grape at its best. The wine reveals exotic aromas of lilac, plum, boysenberry and cardamom, along with a dose of meatiness and butcher-block flavors. On the palate, a silky and supple texture is balanced by just enough tannin structure to affirm the wine's mountain pedigree. The blend includes our core Quartz Hill and Plateau blocks, which are planted to syrah clones 3, 5, 7 and Noir, as well as a new, small parcel of Alban clone which we call Red House. The syrah was cofermented with 1% viognier grape clusters that were gently pressed but not destemmed prior to blending with the syrah. We are excited by the results and think that you will be too.

2012 Pride Viognier Sonoma  Price: $47.25       Sale $41.58          Case $482

The 2012 vintage was a near-perfect vintage where Mother Nature gave us almost nothing to worry about!. Our first offering from this vintage displays a stylistic change that we've been working toward over the past couple of years – expressive, intense varietal fruit balanced by a brighter acidity and lower overall alcohol than our Viognier has displayed in the past. The results are thrilling. Aromas of apricot, star fruit, mandarin zest, orange blossom and acacia create a complex and fascinating nose, while the palate has an exhilarating zing that nonetheless maintains the opulence that is characteristic of this inimitable grape variety. Loads of mineral, floral and stone-fruit flavors make for a classic Viognier.

A bit about Pride Vineyards:

Pride Mountain Vineyards are nestled atop Spring Mountain at an elevation of 2100 feet, just above the picturesque town of St. Helena in the heart of Napa Valley.  The location is on the summit of the Mayacamas Mountain range, which divides the Napa, Sonoma, and Alexander Valleys.  All three valleys can be seen from the spectacular vineyard views.  Currently, 80+ acres of vineyards produce cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot , chardonnay and viognier.   The most striking aspects of this vineyard setting are the diversity and mixture of climatic exposures and soil types.  As if draping a patchwork quilt over the mountain top, the undulating topography produces a unique combination of elements that result in grapes of intense character.  Eighteen separate blocks comprise the vineyards in order to capture this kaleidoscope of microclimates.  Great care and painstaking research have gone into the selection of the ideal rootstock and varieties in the different blocks.  North-facing slopes bear varieties such as chardonnay and merlot that prosper with moderate sun.  At this elevation, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and viognier need increased exposure and occupy blocks facing southeast and southwest, producing ideal ripeness.  New trellising and canopy management further emphasize uniqueness among separate blocks and help maximize the quality of the Pride Mountain fruit. Of the three key elements that are necessary for producing premium wine - sun exposure, temperature, and good soil - Pride Mountain Vineyards are blessed with having them all in a rare setting. The sheer elevation creates natural stress that intensifies fruit flavors in the grapes. The added sun exposure from east, south, and west on the summit extends photoperiods and ensures excellent ripening.  Volcanic mountaintop soils concentrate flavor, aroma and color.

Jim and Carolyn Pride bought this 170 acres of volcanic earth in 1989.  Jim and Carolyn both grew up in California's Sacramento Valley, where their families had sizable rice holdings and cattle ranches.  Jim went on to become an accomplished dentist and founded the Pride Institute, an  international consulting and practice management company for dentists.  Yet the Prides yearned to return to a rural region and farming.  A local real estate agent brought them to the Spring Mountain property.  Historically called the Summit Ranch, the first records indicate the early plantings of vineyards at Summit Ranch date back to 1869.  Although it is not known exactly which grape varieties were grown, the establishment of a sizable winery building suggests the presence of measurable acreage.  In fact, the ruins of the original winery still stand today. The name plate reads "Summit Winery, 1890."  Literature and photographs from the era show the ranch was a center of social occasions and gatherings.  Each Sunday neighboring families would come to the picnic at "The Grove", a shaded area adjacent to the winery, and share stories and local produce and compete in the weekly card game.  In the early years of the century a small, one-room school building was built on the property and was known as "Diamond Mountain School."  One of the foot paths up to the school from the valley became known as "Wind Whistle Trail" for the high-pitched winds that blew across the ridge on chilly autumn evenings.  The school closed in 1932 when the new grammar school in St. Helena was opened.  Summit Ranch was an important stop for the stagecoach that used this route to cross from Santa Rosa to St. Helena in the rainy season.  As the trail departs from the property boundary, one can still see the original structure of "The Rock Gate", a large stone arch built in the 1880's and partially damaged in the Great Quake of 1906.  The ranch continued an era of prosperity until Prohibition, at which time it fell into a state of disrepair.  The winery building was burned, purportedly for the insurance money - although this fact has never been documented.

The winery's former owner, Dr. John Gamble, had replanted the vineyards in the 1950's.  He was described by a neighbor as being "organic before organic was in."  Gamble refused to irrigate or fertilize, and his low-yielding vines produced grapes that made extremely tannic wines. Through proper vineyard management, the Prides have increased the vineyard yield to about two tons an acre from Gamble's 3/4 of a ton.  The wines from 1991 through 1996 wines were crafted made at Chappellet,  estate production returned in 1997 when the Pride family constructed a modern winery on site  Winemaker Bob Foley, who made terrific wines at Markham during the 1980's, was immediately impressed the first time he visited the vineyard site.  Said Foley several years ago: "I have been a Napa Valley winemaker for the past 16 years specializing in the crafting of Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon for other wineries and have become familiar with the abundant microclimates and soil types of the Napa Valley...On my first visit to the Pride Vineyards I recognized immediately that I was on hallowed ground - vineyard land capable of producing wines of the world's highest quality...I consider this to be the most spectacular vineyard in Napa County."

The Prides are going full steam ahead with a project that happened quite swiftly.  The first releases - a Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Merlot - came in the 1991 vintage.  Less than 2000 cases of wine were made.  The '94 harvest was their biggest yet - it yielded almost 9,000 cases of wine.  There has been very positive reaction to the first wines from Pride.  The winery's 1991 Cabernet made an outstanding debut - it was rated a (92) by The Wine Spectator.   The Chardonnay, aged in 100% new French oak, has also been quite good.  The third wine in the trio, the Merlot, has also been very impressive.   In his years at Markham, Merlot was Foley's specialty.  He made Markham a power in Merlot, and today that winery is recognized as one of Napa's foremost producers of this varietal.  When Foley arrived at Pride, he became very excited about the prospects for Merlot. "I told Jim and Carolyn to just watch what I can do with this," recalled Foley. "I think they were both amazed, because they didn't realize they could make a varietal Merlot up here as well."  This 2007 Merlot is the 17th vintage of Pride Merlot.  Although there were only 290 cases of the 1991 produced, production grew to 3,300 cases in the 1993 vintage and has reached 3,900 in 1996 and production has topped out at around 5,000 cases with the 2000 vintage.    Today in their own facility they can produce up to 25,000 cases.

Jim Pride passed away in 2004 and Steve Pride has taken over the responsibility of running the winery.  He involves himself in all aspects of the business from viticulture to winemaking, from management to marketing.  Steve is proud of contributing to and promoting the general spirit that permeates Pride Mountain Vineyards, in which the entire staff places a priority on being concerned for the well-being and happiness of everybody they come in contact with:  guests, long-term customers, new customers, vendors, other professional relations, colleagues and to the greater community in which they live.  Steve likes to envision PMV, sitting high atop the Mayacamas Mountains, as a giant antenna sending out waves of good will.  The ability to connect with people is made easier when the quality of wine is outstanding and Steve’s primary focus in his professional life is how to make the wines of Pride Mountain Vineyards as great as they can possibly be.  

In the early 1990s, before the winery was in existence, Steve began his career as an academic scientist. After completing a BA at the University of California at Berkeley and a PhD at Texas A&M University, both in geophysics, and after two years as a post-doc at MIT, he married his French wife Laurence, and became a professor at the University of Paris and later at the University of Rennes in France. In 2000, he took a sabbatical at Stanford University as a visiting professor, which enabled him to spend time with his Dad who was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2001. In 2003, Steve and Laurence, and their boys Tommy and Sammy, moved from France to the Bay Area to get more involved with the winery. Steve also obtained a staff-scientist position at the Lawrence Berkeley Lab at that time along with an adjunct-professor position at UC Berkeley, and now splits his time between Berkeley and the winery.

"Being a scientist is actually good training for owning and managing a vineyard,” he says. “As a scientist, you are required to solve difficult problems, experiment and hypothesize, and think outside the box; all qualities that come in handy here at the winery. We are taking nothing for granted at Pride Mountain Vineyards, and are constantly exploring ways to push the wine-quality envelope to the maximum. The entire enterprise is a whole lot of fun."

Sally Johnson is the winemaker today and Sally's journey to the top of Spring Mountain was a windy one.  Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, she was planning a career in the Biotech industry when she headed overseas for stints in Brittany and Paris, France to complete her college language requirements.  While soaking up the Continental lifestyle, she became fascinated by the rich history of the wine industry, its connection to the seasons, and the craftsmanship involved in creating a distinctive cuv'e. She returned home and completed a dual degree in French Literature and Biology at the University of Michigan, and her next step was to enroll in U.C. Davis's Master's Degree program in Enology.  At Davis, her research centered on the effect of deficit irrigation on flavor development in Cabernet Sauvignon, leading to a passion for Cabernet Sauvignon that has blossomed during her winemaking career.

After leaving Davis, Sally joined the team at St Francis Winery & Vineyards in Sonoma County, CA, first as enologist and moving up to winemaker during her eight year tenure.  She took a brief hiatus in 2002 to work a harvest at St Hallett Winery in Australia's Barossa Valley, returning to California with wine-stained hands, steel-toed Rossi work boots and an appreciation for old vine Shiraz and dry Riesling.  She also made Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah under her own label for several years.

In 2007, Sally joined the team at Pride Mountain Vineyards. Having been a devotee of Pride wines for many years, she is thrilled to be charged with handcrafting our distinctive wines. "Pride has such an incredible site. The diversity of the soil types, our southern exposure and our block-by-block approach to managing 46 individual vineyard blocks within an 83-acre ranch all add up to fruit with awesome potential. My job is to coax out the expressive, extracted wines that are synonymous with Pride Mountain. It's a dream job!