Pine Ridge Vineyards Winemaker Michael Beaulac Rings in 2011 with a Great Scorecard

Pine Ridge Vineyards Rings in 2011 with Cause for Celebration

Winery receives an unprecedented series of five scores above 90 points from the Wine Advocate

Stags Leap District, Napa, CA January 12, 2011 – The end of 2010 brought great cause to celebrate at Pine Ridge Vineyards when renowned wine critic Robert Parker released his reviews of California wineries awarding Pine Ridge five scores above 90 points, a first in the 32 year history of the winery.    This was particularly sweet news for winemaker Michael Beaulac who joined the winery in the spring of 2009 and had to wait the patient period of time before his talent and efforts could be brought to light given the 18-24 months it takes for one’s first release of wines to be launched to the world.   Top scores went to the 2008 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 91+ points, the 2008 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 93+ points, the 2008 Fortis Cabernet Sauvignon 94+ points, the 2008 Le Petit Clos Chardonnay 93 points and the 2009 Chenin Blanc + Viognier touted as a killer wine value with 90 points.

“These scores from the Wine Advocate are the best the winery has ever received,” stated Erle Martin, CEO for the Crimson Wine Group whose high-end wine portfolio includes Pine Ridge as well as Archery Summit in the Dundee Hills of Oregon and Chamisal Vineyards in the Edna Valley, California.   “They validate the hard work Michael and his team including vineyard manager Gustavo Avina have put into making these wines qualitatively and stylistically among the finest Napa has to offer,” he continues.

“Pine Ridge was one of the pioneering wineries in the Stags Leap district in the late 1970s when some of the most legendary names that embody top quality got their start,” states Winemaker & General Manager Michael Beaulac.   “I’m lucky to be working with distinctive vineyards within five AVAs in Napa to craft the wines of Pine Ridge.   Our approach is a combination of sensitivity to terroir and an art of assemblage, or blending.   We have great properties and our role is to guide the fruit from those vineyards towards becoming the wines they should naturally be.   Our fine tuning in the blending process allows the wine to find its own balance and equilibrium,” says Beaulac.

In his role at the winery, Beaulac oversees all grape-growing and winemaking operations as well as facilities management at the winery which is located on the famous Silverado Trail in the heart of the Stags Leap district.  The distinctive tree line of pines cuts a dramatic swath across the top of the ridgeline above the property, thus its namesake.

Pine Ridge specializes in producing wines that embody the unique characteristics of the Napa Valley appellation in which its 200 acres of estate vineyards are located.   Since its founding in 1978, the winery has specialized in Cabernet and other Bordeaux style red wines as well as hand-crafted Chardonnays.  For more information on Pine Ridge please visit www.pineridgevineyards.com and for media inquiries, images and interviews please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at 415/701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.