Pine Ridge Vineyards Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2025
(California, USA) - [JS 91]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1978 by Greg Andrus, Pine Ridge has a 40+ year history of producing award-winning wines in the Stags Leap District. Today Pine Ridge oversees estate vineyards in five prime appellations, including Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros.

About this Wine:
Pine Ridge initially crafted this unusual and delectable blend as an experiment, creating one of their most beloved and popular wines.

Winemaker’s Notes: 
Grapes for our Chenin Blanc are sourced from the Clarksburg appellation, referred to as the “Gem of the Delta.” It is an appellation that is showing a great affinity for Chenin Blanc. The climate has a moderately long growing season and benefits from the maritime influence of the Sacramento River. The Viognier is sourced from Lodi, which has a classic Mediterranean climate, with warm days and cool nights. Natural air-conditioning is provided by the San Joaquin/Sacramento River Delta breezes and produces grapes with natural acidity. Rhône varieties like Viognier adapt well to this exciting appellation.

After the grapes were crushed, the pressed wine was blended with the free run juice to increase palate weight. The juice was inoculated with two special yeast strains to maintain the fruity characters and then was fermented cold. To retain and highlight the fruit freshness of CB+V, the wine was fermented and aged in 100 percent stainless steel.  

Tasting Notes: 
The nose is accented by honeysuckle and lemon verbena creating a nice floral note throughout the aroma. Notes of peach ring, apricot, green apple, and mandarin add vibrant fruit complexity. The palate is zippy and refreshing, with a plush entry from the Viognier and a clean line of granite driven minerality. A hint of black pepper lifts the finish, which is harmonious, energetic, and endlessly drinkable.

Vintage Notes: 
This vintage is a blend that is comprised of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. The Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested at low sugar levels to ensure bright fruit character and low alcohol in the finished wine. In contrast, the Viognier from Lodi was picked at 24 degrees Brix to capture the floral and spicy nature as well as the viscosity.

Ratings & Reviews

91 Points - James Suckling:
"A charming, floral, light-bodied white in a lightweight bottle. It bursts with green apple, white peach and lemon blossom flavors on a low-alcohol body. A trace of residual sugar softens the edges. All tank-fermented with no malolactic. Drink now." (Apr 2026)