Pride Mountian Vineyards

A twisting twenty-minute drive west from St. Helena, or east from Santa Rosa, rewards visitors with a stunning view of rugged Mount St. Helena to the northeast and verdant vineyards rising to the sky in all directions. Pride Mountain Vineyards is a 170-acre estate with a wooden-beamed, modest-sized winery that blends into its mountainous surroundings and California heritage. The casual tasting room sports two boards held up by old oak barrels. There, wine enthusiasts can sample the latest vintages with a knowledgeable, approachable staff member. County regulations require that visitors hold a prior appointment. Those joining the Pride Mountain crew for a morning tour will see the property's other features. Beside the winery, the crush pad is bisected by a brick inlay that defines the Napa/Sonoma County line. Walking into the caves the temperature drops to the high 50s, humidity rises, and the visitor is greeted with the heady aromas of wine and oak. Over 2,100 feet of subterranean storage winds naturally under the hillside, opening out into a glass-enclosed space overlooking the vineyards and the northern Napa Valley. Back into the bright sun, then down the single lane road, the imposing 1890 ruin of the original Summit Ranch winery looms through the fir and oak. The three-story winery was used to crush fruit grown on this and neighboring properties until Prohibition. The four walls are now silent, but provide a peaceful spot for an afternoon picnic or winemaker's dinner. The Pride family has reason to be pleased with the combination of restoration and innovation, of form and function, and hope each visitor leaves with a warmer and better understanding of winemaking.

Napa Valley, United States

4026 Spring Mountain Road,

(707) 963-4949