5 Bold Cabernet & Grill Pairings for Your Next Backyard Feast

There’s something primal about open flame cooking.

Smoke rising. Cast iron sizzling. A good bottle breathing nearby. At Pine Ridge Vineyards, we believe the best summer moments are built on bold flavor, real ingredients, and wines that earn their place at the table. Our Napa Valley Cabernets, grown on storied slopes and crafted with intent, are made for nights like these.

Here are 5 no-fail pairings to elevate your summer grilling game—and turn any backyard moment into something unforgettable.

A bottle of red wine and a glass sit on a stainless steel gas grill next to grilling tools; steaks, corn, mushrooms, and other vegetables are cooking on the grill.

1. New York Steak + Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Thick cut. Bone in. Salted like the ocean. A New York Steak’s marbling meets its match in our flagship Napa Valley Cabernet. The fat softens the wine’s structure, the char teases out its black cherry and subtle spice, and every bite begs for another sip.

Pro Tip: Go reverse sear for a caramelized crust and rare center.

Two plates of food with grilled short ribs, mashed potatoes, and radicchio salad sit on a table. A bottle and glasses of red wine, utensils, and a small bowl of salt are arranged alongside the plates.

2. Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs & Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep, rich, fall-apart short ribs cooked low and slow with red wine and aromatics become downright luxurious beside our Oakville Cabernet. The wine’s firm structure and savory undertones amplify the dish’s depth, creating a pairing that feels effortless and elevated.

Perfect for evenings when the fire’s still warm long after dinner.

A wooden board with seasoned lamb chops garnished with rosemary, next to a green Dutch oven, a bottle of red wine, and two filled wine glasses on a dark tabletop.

3. Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops & Circle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

The earthy intensity of lamb meets its match in our Circle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, with its powerful tannins and layers of forest floor, black plum, and spice. Grilled with rosemary until crisp at the edges, these chops bring out the wine’s most complex character.

This is a pairing that speaks with confidence.

A white oval dish with cooked meat, potatoes, and vegetables sits on a wooden table beside two glasses of red wine, a bottle of wine, white candles, and place settings with napkins and utensils.

4. Braised Brisket & Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

Tender, smoky brisket—with just the right amount of charred bark—is pure magic with the finely tuned power of our Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect bold fruit, crushed herbs, and just enough grit to hold up to this meaty masterpiece.

Rustic. Refined. Utterly satisfying.

A sliced cooked steak with green sauce on top sits on a wooden cutting board next to a large knife. A bowl of sauce, a bottle of red wine, two glasses, and salt are nearby.

5. Cast Iron Ribeye & Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Classic never goes out of style. A well-marbled ribeye, seared in cast iron until perfectly crusted, deserves the age-worthy strength of our Rutherford Cabernet. The wine’s structured tannins and notes of graphite, dried herbs, and blackcurrant elevate every bite.

Add a pat of compound butter and let the wine do the rest.

The Pine Ridge Pairing Code

Want to know the secret to pairing wine with flame-kissed dishes? Look for:

Proteins with marbling (think ribeye, brisket, lamb)
Earthy herbs like rosemary and thyme
Caramelization—grill marks are your friend
Rich, savory sauces (and a little restraint—let the wine shine too)

A bottle of Pine Ridge Napa Valley Cabernet and a glass sit on a rustic wooden outdoor dining table set with food, plates, and a vase with branches, with people seated around the table in natural light.

Explore More Recipes

These are just the starting point. At Pine Ridge, we’ve curated a collection of seasonal recipes tailored to bring out the very best in our wines—whether you’re grilling, braising, or planning the perfect al fresco feast.
👉 View our full pairing collection at Pine Ridge Vineyards

Let your next bottle take the lead. The fire’s already lit.