Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc & Viognier - 750ml

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier is produced by Pine Ridge Vineyards, founded in 1978 by Gary Andrus in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley — an estate better known for its Cabernet Sauvignon than for white wine production. The CB+V, as the blend is commonly known, has been produced continuously since 1995 and represents a deliberate departure from Pine Ridge's Napa red wine identity, drawing instead from two geographically and climatically distinct California appellations that have proven exceptionally well-suited to the blend's component varieties. The Chenin Blanc is sourced from Clarksburg in the Sacramento River Delta — an appellation referred to as the "Gem of the Delta" and recognized as one of California's most naturally appropriate homes for the variety, where a moderately long growing season and the cooling maritime influence of the Sacramento River preserve the freshness and acidity that Loire Valley Chenin is famous for. The Viognier comes from Lodi, where the Mediterranean climate's warm days and cool nights — naturally air-conditioned by the San Joaquin and Sacramento River Delta breezes — produce Viognier of aromatic intensity and natural acidity that brings the floral and stone fruit dimension the blend requires.

The two varieties are harvested with opposing objectives: the Chenin Blanc is picked at low sugar levels to emphasize bright fruit character and preserve the variety's characteristic acidity, while the Viognier is picked at higher sugar levels to capture its full floral and spicy aromatics alongside viscosity. Following crushing, the press wine is blended with the free run juice to increase palate weight before each variety undergoes a cool fermentation with its own selected yeast strain, chosen specifically to maintain the primary fruit characters of each grape. The wine is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation, a choice that preserves freshness and fruit purity while retaining the light residual sugar that balances the blend's natural acidity. The finished blend is approximately 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier.

The nose is aromatic and inviting — Chenin Blanc's citrus characters of tangerine, yuzu, lime, and orange blossom are present alongside the Viognier's peach, mango, and honeysuckle, the two varieties complementing rather than competing with each other. The palate is clean and crisp with no oak influence, the slight residual sugar and bright acidity in balance to produce a viscous, rounded mid-palate that gives way to a refreshing, fruit-forward finish. The overall profile is versatile and food-friendly, pairing naturally with light salads, seafood, and dishes with a touch of spice — the residual sugar providing a natural counterpoint to heat.