Named as a “perfect après-ski indulgence” in SKI Magazine’s annual gear guide roundup. SKI Magazine – Gear We Used to Test the Skis of the Year
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.
Much like a thrilling ski run down from the top of a mountain, this wine is a feast for the senses. 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 po
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 Vineyards. The fruit was chosen by acclaimed Seven Hills winemaker, Bobby Richards and from premiere sites in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington, easily one of the most rugged and dynamic places for Cabernet on the world wine map.
Grapes were hand-picked at night from Sept 13 to Oct 21, 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, our winemaker 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.
