Pride Mountain Vineyards: A Gem on Spring Mountain
Pride Mountain Vineyards is a beautiful winery that delivers on great flavor and texture in your glass. Pride is located at 2000 feet high in the Mayacamas Mountains which separate Napa from Sonoma. Uniquely, the winery and the vineyards are located in both counties – in fact the county line runs through the vines and the caves.
This is a gorgeous place to visit. The winery was established in 1991 and the property has evolved since then. Originally, it was solely the vineyards; and today you can enjoy a beautifully situated tasting room and patio with a wide expanse of vines in sight. The wine caves have been an integral part of the hospitality tours and have yet to reopen since COVID. Visits, of course, are by appointment and there are various options to choose from before you get there. Today, you may still even set up a virtual visit after purchasing some wine through the winery.
The beauty is exceptional, and the wines lives up to their surroundings. Pride offers a wide portfolio of varietals leading with their Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and Claret Reserve. You can also enjoy Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and my current favorite Sangiovese. Over the years, I have enjoyed bottles of each and have been purchasing their wine for the last 20 years.
Here are the most recent reviews of a few of Pride’s 2018 vintage by Antonio Galloni, owner and author of Vinous. The numbers represent scores on a 100 point scale:
“2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards, – Cabernet Franc
The 2018 Cabernet Franc is absolutely delicious. Medium in body, with striking aromatic lift, the 2018 is so rewarding right out of the gate. Crushed flowers, mint, red berry fruit, spice and mocha all grace the 2018. Although not super-complex nor structured, the 2018 Franc is the sort of wine that is opened and disappears in an instant.
— Antonio Galloni 94”
“2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards, – Merlot
The 2018 Merlot is another very pretty wine in this part of the Pride range. Plump and juicy, with mid-weight structure, the 2018 is gorgeous right out of the gate. Succulent black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and spice all flesh out effortlessly, with bright acids that keep the flavors lively. The restrained style is so appealing.
— Antonio Galloni 93”
The above wines are a sampling of what you can expect if you visit the winery for a tasting. Here is a review of a wine from Pride that is listed as available at Total Wine:
“2017 Pride Mountain Vineyards, – Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is soft, open-knit and inviting. Succulent dark cherry/plum fruit, chocolate, licorice, spice, leather and espresso give this juicy Cabernet tons of appeal. Winemaker Sally Johnson did a terrific job of capturing all the best 2017 had to offer, while avoiding the pitfalls of this very challenging year.
— Antonio Galloni 93”
The challenging year that Galloni is referring to is the year that the fires threatened many in the Napa/Sonoma area.
With our options opening up in 2021, it is a perfect time to get out and visit the wonderful wineries that the Napa Valley has to offer you. Pride is a perfect example of the beauty you can enjoy with wonderful wine in your glass.
Enjoy!
