Lot #1 Pride Mountain Vineyards

“First & Five” offers a first look at vineyard-to-bottle winemaking at Pride Mountain Vineyards as seen through Winemaker Matt Ward’s eyes. Matt joined the winery in July of 2022, making this one of his first priorities. It is also special because it is sourced entirely from the five remaining acres of original estate vines present when the Pride family purchased the property in 1990. The finished wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinted entirely from free run juice. South-facing, Rock Arch Vineyard was planted in 1982 at an elevation of 2,100 feet and consistently produces fruit that is included in the winery’s portfolio of reserve wines.

Pride Mountain Vineyards is a second-generation family owned and operated vineyard and winery situated at the crest of the Mayacamas Mountains. Since its founding, the Pride family’s focus has been on making estate wines that reflect and honor the unique history and mountaintop location of this special property. Rock Arch Vineyard is named for the man-made stone arch that stood over the main entrance to the property in the 1800s. While the arch itself no longer stands, the stone wall that was contiguous to it runs alongside the vineyard that provided the fruit for this lot.

Notes of blackberry tart, cedar, summer savory, currants, bay leaf, and dried orange rind flood the palate, finishing with subtle hints of crème brûlée. While enjoyable in its youth, this wine will richly reward those with the patience to cellar it for a decade or more.

WINEMAKER(S): Matt Ward

ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: July 2024
ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: December 2024

National Distribution: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY, Washington, DC

International Distribution: Includes England, Japan, Korea; please inquire for additional countries.