Pride Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room Adventure

Pride Mountain Vineyards Allison Mulligan pouring

Tasting room host Allison pours some great Pride Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay

Pride Mountain Vineyards is a hilltop producer of some of my favorite Northern California Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Vineyards and winery are located about 20 minutes from either Santa Rosa or St. Helena on Spring Mountain, where the property is bisected by the Napa/Sonoma County line.

Site elevation averages about 2,000 feet, providing slightly cooler temperatures during the growing season. This is reflected in the wines, which have controlled acidity and the ability to age well with proper cellaring.

The purpose of this tasting room adventure was to pick up current releases of Pride Mountain’s 2013 Pride Merlot ($60) and 2013 Cabernet Franc ($65). Pride has an allocation list, but no wine club. Since picking up without tasting is a wasted trip, I scheduled an appointment to sample most of their current releases (tours and tastings are by appointment only.) I particularly like the 2013 Sonoma County Syrah. It is rich with dark berries and a hint a of pepper. In addition to several other great reds, I sampled the excellent 2014 Pride Chardonnay and 2014 Pride Viognier.

Pride Mountain Vineyards has a beautiful location and wonderful wines, a wine adventure well worth the short trip up the mountain. First time visitors should consider the cave tour, which may include a barrel tasting of a future release.