The Tasting Panel magazine

MARCH 10

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72 / the tasting panel / march 2010 WOmEN in wine Sally Johnson: Pride Mountain Winery One of these elite women is Sally Johnson, wine- maker at Pride Mountain, a winery perched at 2,000 feet on the ridgeline of the Mayacamas mountain range. Each year, Sally works with intensive fruit from 83 acres of vines planted in cool micro- climates and six unique types of heavy volcanic soils—a brilliant combi- nation that infl uences the character of the fi nished wines. Although the majes- tic property crosses the Napa Valley line, two- thirds of the vineyards developed by the Pride family in the 1980s are lo- cated in Sonoma County. In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah and Viognier, the extreme site is also home to special clones of Merlot planted on the southwest-facing Sonoma side of the ridge. Among the special selections is Clone 3, which is used in the Pride Mountain Vintner Select Merlot and as the core of the highly-touted Reserve Claret. From barrel to bottle, the concentrated fl avors feature daz- zling notes of wild strawberry jam, ripe blueberry, spice, elegance and plenty of structure. embracing elevation Across Sonoma County, talented women wine- makers and vineyard owners are working with stellar mountain fruit to produce some of Cal- ifornia's most highly acclaimed wines. While they may seem aloof on their hillsides and mountaintops, these vintners share their "top" secrets with THE TASTING PANEL. a Special group of winemakerS uSe Sonoma'S hIGh-ElEvaTION vINEYaRDs to tHeir advantage story and photos by Christopher Sawyer Rugged terraces of Cabernet Sauvignon planted at Hidden Ridge Vineyard. PHOTO: COURTESY OF HIDDEN RIDGE Winemaker Sally Johnson of Pride Mountain.

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