A fitting homage to our founder, Gary Andrus, Black Diamond is a wine with an adventurous, far-reaching spirit. The man who started Pine Ridge Vineyards was as intrepid as they come, an Olympic downhill skier with an unwavering love of both the outdoors and well-made wine. The wine owes its name to the most demanding run on the slopes, where dramatic inclines and frequent obstacles challenge even the savviest of skiers.
This is one of the most exciting new projects I’ve been a part of. Not only are we humbled to create a wine that is a tribute to our founder, but it is also a testament to our highly-skilled winemaking teams ”
-Josh Widaman, Pine Ridge Estate Winemaker
The wine follows suit, a reflection of our love of the land and technical ability. It’s grown in Washington state’s Red Mountain appellation, easily one of the most rugged and unique places on the world wine map. The high-desert landscape near the mouth of the Yakima River is currently responsible for some of the most distinctive and dynamic fruit in the country. Black Diamond is a collaborative wine, the fruit coming from our sister winery Seven Hills Winery in Washington before being blended and bottled at Pine Ridge. The result—much like the descent down the top run of the mountain—is a feast for the senses.
Grapes were hand-picked at night from Sept 14 to Oct 21st, carefully sorted in the vineyard, then brought to the cellar and de-stemmed. Meticulous care in the vineyard delivered bright, ripe fruit, with substantial mouthfeel and complexity and was later aged in 50% new French oak to maintain the freshness and elegance of the vintage. After 20 months, Josh Widaman and the team at Pine Ridge blended and bottled the wine with the goal of crafting a wine with power and intensity that is balanced by elegant, yet rich, warm flavors perfectly tailored for the cooler season ahead.
Blending power, intensity, and elegance, the Black Diamond is dynamic yet balanced. A floral fragrance opens on the nose followed by exhilarating flavors of dark chocolate and acai compote bolstered by hints of cassis and lavender candy. The soft, round entry on the palate is surrounded by lush pomegranate juice and cherry cordial flavors. As the wine carves its way towards the finish, its lifted by mouth-watering acidity and slightly drying tannins balanced by cocoa powder and cassis flavors that linger. We suggest enjoying it before a fire, with good company in the midst of an adventure, or served alongside fondue. And when you do crack a bottle, raise a glass to the man who placed the Pine Ridge flag in the Napa Valley back in 1978.
Our Après Ski Fondue recipe is perfect for a cozy, shared meal with close friends after a long day on the slopes! This recipe is best enjoyed with our Black Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon as the velvety tannins intertwine with the richness of the cheeses, leaving your palate to enjoy the medley of dark fruit qualities of this elegant wine.