Pine Ridge Chenin/Viognier 23

In California's ever-evolving food scene, culinary experimentation isn't just a trend — it's essentially a mantra. Back in my Chef years, I remember the explosion of "Cali Cuisine," and it seemed like all of my Chef buddies were hopping on the bandwagon. There were some wild ingredient combos — some were good, some not so much.

If the culinary folks can do it, why not the California winemakers? Some twenty years ago, the winemakers at Pine Ridge Winery in Napa Valley decided to blend Chenin Blanc with Viognier — something you hardly ever encounter in traditional French winemaking.

Their unconventional blend turned out to be a remarkable success. Initially available only in their tasting room, the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier has become one of the winery's best-selling whites.

Pine Ridge sources its Chenin Blanc from ten carefully selected plots in the highly-regarded Clarksburg AVA. This region enjoys a long growing season and cooling breezes from the nearby Sacramento River, creating ideal conditions for Chenin Blanc grapes. The Viognier, a classic Rhône varietal known for its aromatic qualities, is sourced from the Lodi AVA, where it thrives in a Mediterranean-like climate with warm days and cool nights.

The Chenin Blanc + Viognier blend is incredibly expressive on the nose, offering notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, nectarine, and a whisper of ginger. The warm, inviting palate is redolent of tangerine, lime, and lemon curd, mingling with subtle notes of orchard fruit. There's a ton of body and richness, yet this vibrant blend finishes perfectly clean and lifted with hints of citrus and minerals. If you want to stray from Chardonnay without going too far off the reservation, this is the white for you.

Pair this superb blend with spicy Asian and Creole, and it will stand up nicely to grilled or roasted pork and poultry.