Pine Ridge Vineyards
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Stags Crown"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 101
Vintage: 2023
Pine Ridge Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Sourced solely from our 7-acre Stags Crown estate, located in the heart of the Stags Leap District
- The site at Silverado Trail and Yountville Cross Road maintains well-drained soils over weathered sandstone
- Winemaker Josh Widaman's masterful barrel selection is aging 20 months in 80% new French oak barrels
- Offers silky, lush Cabernet with rich tannins due to its warm microclimate
Description
At the northern edge of Napa Valley’s renowned Stags Leap District lies Stags Crown, a vineyard steeped in history and prestige. Since it was established in 1997 at the intersection of Yountville Cross Road and Silverado Trail, it has since earned its royal title as the "crown" of the district. Stags Crown benefits from ideal growing conditions: well-drained, nutrient-rich soils, excellent water retention and a warm, sun-kissed microclimate. These elements harmonize to produce grapes of remarkable richness, with concentrated tannins and a signature silkiness that defines Stags Crown Cabernet Sauvignon. Under the skilled guidance of winemaker Josh Widaman, this special bottling captures both power and elegance, making it one of the most lush and approachable wines of the Stags Leap District. With its luxurious texture and remarkable depth, this wine truly expresses the unique terroir of this special site, making it a compelling addition to any wine collection.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Josh Widaman
Winemaker, Pine Ridge Vineyards
Josh’s path to winemaking started after working the 1999 vintage at Stags' Leap Winery. During his first harvest spreading stems in the vineyards by moonlight, he tasted a 1997 Pahlmeyer Merlot that left him inspired to create wines that leave a similar lasting impression on those lucky enough to experience them. The combination of hands-on vineyard work and the incredible fruits of a winemaker’s labor sealed his desire to enter the wine world. He transferred to UC Davis where he graduated in 2002 with a BS in Viticulture and Enology, and a minor in Applied Biological Systems Technology. In 2019, he received his MBA from Sonoma State University to better support a well-rounded understanding of the wine business.
Josh spent the first six years of his career working his way up to Assistant Winemaker at Chimney Rock Winery before transitioning to Assistant Winemaker and eventually Head Winemaker at Pahlmeyer. Additional past experience includes harvest internships with Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma and Viña Tarapacá in Chile. In addition, his time spent overseas in the Douro, Burgundy, Greece and Germany have increased the breadth of his winemaking horizons.
“My path to winemaking started with a wine that left a lasting impression, that I use as inspiration in every wine I create,” Josh emphasizes. “Coming back to the Stags Leap District where it all began for me, and to the iconic steep-walled valley at Pine Ridge Vineyards, gives me a newfound sense of determination to produce some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines that Napa Valley and the world have to offer.”
Country born: United States
Education: Sonoma State University
Master of Business Administration
University of California, Davis
BS in Viticulture & Enology, Minor in Applied Biological Systems Technology
Foreign Study: Burgundy, The Douro, Germany, Chile and Greece
Mentors: Elizabeth Vianna, Winemaker and General Manager at Chimney Rock Winery and Erin Green, Consulting Winemaker at Martinelli Vineyards & Winery
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Wine Spectator #1 Wine of the Year
90+ ratings on over 90% of all wines made in career
Winemaking Philosophy:
“We’re constantly experimenting in the vineyard, the cellar and the tasting lab...” Being on the cutting-edge can sometimes mean going back to Old World traditions, “but we never rest on assumptions,” he says. “The decisions we make are based on fractions of percents of variances in each blend - minute changes that can make a huge difference in the wine’s profile. Meticulous attention to these, and making sure we taste every possible iteration is what sets us apart.”
“Winemaking is a huge, long, intricate equation - years in the making,” says Josh, sharing a glimpse into the intricate workings of this winemaker’s brain. “Any single decision can take things in an entirely different direction,” he says. “The palate is the ultimate driver. That’s the artistry of winemaking.”
Winebow
4800 Cox Road, Suite 300
Glen Allen VA 23060
804-248-1117
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Winebow:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Estate Vineyards | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Chiles Valley District | In Chaos, Order | 29 (2025) |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Stags Crown | 29 (2025) |
| Inglenook | 2022 | Red Wine | Rutherford | CXLI | 28 (2024) |
| The Vice | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | The Wunderkind | 28 (2024) |
| Frank Family Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Winston Hill Block 5 - Heart Block | 25 (2021) |
| Markham | 2019 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | The Character | 25 (2021) |
| PEJU | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | The Main Event | 25 (2021) |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Le Meilleur du Chai | 25 (2021) |
Winery Distribution
Pine Ridge Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Alabama (International Wines)
- Alaska (Specialty Imports)
- Arizona (RNDC)
- Arkansas (Southern Glazers)
- California (RNDC)
- Colorado (Winebow)
- Florida (RNDC)
- Georgia (RNDC)
- Hawaii (RNDC)
- Idaho (Greg Stein Beverage)
- Idaho (Moon River)
- Idaho (Golden Eagle)
- Illinois (Winebow)
- Iowa (Johnson Bros)
- Kentucky (RNDC)
- Louisiana (RNDC)
- Maine (Nappi)
- Maine (Pine State)
- Maryland (Winebow)
- Massachusetts (Ruby)
- Minnesota (Johnson Bros)
- Mississippi (International Wines)
- Missouri (Major Brands)
- Montana (Bronkon)
- Montana (Fun Beverage)
- Nevada (Southern Glazers)
- Nevada (Breakthru)
- New Jersey (Winebow)
- New Mexico (Southern Glazers)
- New York (Winebow)
- North Carolina (Winebow)
- Oregon (RNDC)
- Pennsylvania (The Wine Merchant)
- South Carolina (RNDC)
- South Dakota (Johnson Bros)
- Texas (RNDC)
- Wisconsin (Johnson Bros)
International:
- Australia (Boccaccio Cellars)
- Bermuda (Burrows Lightbourn)
- Canada - Alberta (Andrew Peller Imports)
- Canada - British Columbia (Andrew Peller Imports)
- Canada - Manitoba (Andrew Peller Imports)
- Canada - New Brunswick (Innovative Beverage)
- Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador (Innovative Beverage)
- Canada - Nova Scotia (Innovative Beverage)
- Canada - Ontario (Andrew Peller Imports)
- Canada - Prince Edward Island (Innovative Beverage)
- Canada - Quebec (Societe Roucet)
- Canada - Saskatchewan (Andrew Peller Imports)
- Caribbean (Fully represented - importer varies by country)
- China (California Wine & Co.)
- Denmark (Vinens Verden)
- Finland (Hedon)
- France (South World Wines SAS)
- Germany (Weinhandel Hans Peter Joeckel)
- Hong Kong (Via Pacifica)
- Indonesia (Jaddi Internasional)
- Japan (Mottox)
- Luxembourg (AmCellars)
- Mexico (ECM de Vinos)
- Norway (Fondberg)
- Poland (Mielzynski SP.Z.O.O.)
- Puerto Rico (Plaza Provision Company)
- Singapore (Pinnacles Wine & Spirits)
- South Korea (W.S. Trading Co.)
- Sweden (Johan Lidby)
- Switzerland (Zweifel Weine)
- Taiwan (Formosa)
- Thailand (Scheidegger Trading )
- United Kingdom (Liberty)