The Paws Up Wine Cellar
Kyle Riggs
Sommelier
Overseeing the Paws Up wine cellar is Kyle Riggs, Resort sommelier. Born and raised in Missoula, Montana, and a graduate of the prestigious Napa Valley Wine Academy, Riggs is committed to building on our world-class wine program here in western Montana. He spent 18 years running the Iron Horse, a respected culinary destination in its own right located in Missoula.
Since joining Paws Up in 2018, Riggs has been opening up new relationships in Napa Valley and beyond, tapping into the burgeoning American wine scene in places such as Santa Barbara, Oregon’s Willamette Valley and storied Washington AVAs such as Walla Walla. He’s also worked to expand the list internationally, pulling in exceptional wines from the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions in France, as well as from the finest German and Italian vineyards.
A few of our premier wine partners
Discriminating wine lovers associate a singular Napa Valley name with excellence: Opus One. The venerable vineyard and winery, known for its Bordeaux-style, 92+ rated blends, stands for nothing less than the very best, something it shares with The Resort at Paws Up.
Napa Valley’s Cakebread Cellars, renowned for its world-class, green-certified vineyards, has long employed innovative winemaking technologies in the pursuit of unique, high-quality vintages. Cakebread has been a staple at Paws Up culinary events such as Montana Master Grillers.
California’s Rombauer Vineyards has deep roots in food and wine. Owner KR Rombauer’s ancestors in the winegrowing region of Rheingau, Germany, considered wine an essential complement to a meal. This rich history has led to an award-winning selection of exceptional wines.
In Sonoma Valley, California, Merry Edwards Winery produces critically acclaimed Pinot Noirs in the area’s Russian River Valley. One of California’s first woman winemakers, Merry Edwards won the coveted James Beard Award for Best Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional in the United States.
In the 1970s, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich stunned the wine world by winning the Paris Tasting Competition with a Napa Valley Chardonnay judged the finest white wine in the world. A cherished winemaker, Grgich passed on the craft to daughter Violet Grgich, who continues to rock the wine world.
More than 45 years ago, Chuck Wagner and his father founded Caymus Vineyards in Napa Valley. Now a third generation of Wagners produce an incredible collection of wines crafted from their Cabernet grapes. Only Wagner Special Selection Cabernet has been twice honored as Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year.
Founded in 1989, Melville is a family-owned winery with roots in Sonoma County. A desire to grow cold-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay brought Melville Vineyards to the Western Santa Ynez Valley. In 2018, Melville was named one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wineries in the world.
From their estate in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, the Chappellet family constantly works to enhance the quality and character of their Pritchard Hill fruit, earning them acclaim for making California’s finest hillside Cabernet Sauvignons. The Chappellet portfolio includes multiple highly regarded varietals.
