Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2021

Chenin Blanc has long been the core of this blend and is sourced from the Clarksburg appellation close to the nearby Sacramento River Delta. The Chenin Blanc grapes were harvested at low sugar levels to emphasize bright fruit characteristics in the finished wine. In contrast, the Viognier from Lodi was picked at higher sugar levels, about 24 degrees Brix, to capture the floral and spicy nature as well as viscosity. After the grapes were crushed, the press wine was blended with the free run juice to increase palate weight. Each variety was inoculated with its own special yeast strain selected to maintain the fruity characters and then underwent a cool fermentation. To retain and highlight the fruit freshness of CB+V, the wine was fermented and aged in 100 percent stainless steel