Back home in their native France, Chenin Blanc and Viognier rarely, if ever, share the same bottle. But that’s not the case in California, where under one winery’s label, the complementary grapes are cohabitating in perfect harmony.

Descend into the rugged “valley within the valley” that is Napa’s Stags Leap District. There, the winemaking team at Pine Ridge Vineyards has been happily combining these two varietals since 1995, working from their scenic station in the rocky hillside to pioneer and perfect a Chenin Blanc + Viognier (CB+V) blend that’s bright, balanced, and has grown over the past three decades to become one of America’s most popular white wines.

Here are just a few of the ways this bright, beloved blend stands out.

The Best of All Worlds

The best part about a blend is you can have it all. This Pine Ridge white is sophisticated yet approachable, combining the crisp, honeyed fruit of the Clarksburg-grown Chenin Blanc (kiwi, melon, lime zest) with the velvety body, burst of stone fruit flavor, and more exotic notes (lychee, orange blossom) brought by the Lodi-grown Viognier.

As Colleen FitzGerald — the head winemaker for this program, who started at Pine Ridge 10 years ago — says of the combination: “Once you discover it, there’s no going back.”

More Sustainable Sipping

Beyond a commitment to craftsmanship, Pine Ridge — a Napa Green-certified winery — prides itself on a dedication to sustainability and innovating production techniques that better protect the planet.

Pine Ridge has pledged to incorporate practices that reduce emissions, heighten land stewardship, and retain local biodiversity. The winery even has an in-house “Green Team” focused on improving sustainability at every step — from the growing process to the packaging. Glass weight is the largest factor in carbon emissions, and the winery has been steadily slimming down their bottle since 2018, reducing its weight by 24%, which significantly cuts down carbon emissions by 100+ metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Pairing For Your Pour

Whip up a curry and start topping those tostadas! While the CB+V is a versatile wine, it really shines alongside spicier dishes. A chilled bottle of this blend with its subtle sweetness serves as the perfect foil for the heat you’ll find in Thai, Indian, and Mexican cuisine.

Searching for a refreshing plus-one for those parties and picnics packing your summer social calendar? Look no further than surefire crowd-pleaser that’s fit for all occasions. Bring along a bottle to a barbeque (it goes great with grilled vegetables), or serve it as a crisp complement to flavorful cocktail-party fare (think bites with bite, like olives, goat cheese and radishes).

Or just keep it simple. Pop a bottle, pour a glass and enjoy the blends’ medley of flavors all on its own.

This infographic is sponsored by Pine Ridge Vineyards.