Ridge Vineyards
History The history of Ridge Vineyards begins in 1885, when Osea Perrone, a doctor who became a prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. He terraced the slopes and planted vineyards; using native limestone, he constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage under that name in 1892. This unique cellar, built into the mountainside on three levels, is Ridge's production facility. At 2600?, it is surrounded by the "upper vineyard." In the 1940s, William Short, a theologian, bought the abandoned winery and vineyard just below the Perrone property; he replanted several parcels to cabernet sauvignon in the late 1940s. From these vines -- now the "middle vineyard"-- new owners Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, and Howard Ziedler, all Stanford Research Institute engineers, made a quarter-barrel of "estate" cabernet. That Monte Bello Cabernet was among California's finest wines of the era. Its quality and distinctive character, and the wines produced from these same vines in 1960 and '61, convinced the partners to re-bond the winery in time for the 1962 vintage. Dave Bennion left his role at S.R.I. to oversee winemaking duties full time. The first zinfandel was made in 1964, from a small nineteenth-century vineyard farther down the ridge. This was followed in 1966 by the first Geyserville zinfandel. The founding families reclaimed the Monte Bello terraces, increasing vineyard size from fifteen to forty-five acres. Working on weekends, they made wines of regional character and unprecedented intensity. By 1968, production had increased to just under three thousand cases per year, and in 1969, Paul Draper joined the partnership. A Stanford graduate in philosophy--recently returned from setting up a winery in Chile's coast range--he was a practical winemaker, not an enologist. His knowledge of fine wines and traditional methods complemented the straightforward "hands off" approach pioneered at Ridge. Under his guidance the old Perrone winery (acquired the previous year) was restored, the finest vineyard lands leased or purchased, the consistent quality and international reputation of the wines established. Cabernet and Zinfandel account for most of the production; Syrah, Grenache, Carignane, and Petite Sirah constitute a small percentage. Known primarily for its red wines, Ridge has also made limited amounts of chardonnay since 1962. Lytton Springs, in Sonoma County, became part of the Ridge estate in 1991. A quarter century's experience with this vineyard had convinced us that it was an exceptional piece of ground. Forty consecutive vintages of Geyserville attest to yet another stunning combination of location and varietals. Though born in the early sixties to the post-Prohibition world of modern California winemaking, Ridge relies on nature and tradition rather than technology. Our pre-industrial approach is straightforward: find intense, flavorful grapes; intrude upon the process only when necessary; draw the fruit's distinctive character and richness into the wine.
Ridge Vineyards 'Geyserville' Zinfandel 2019
$38.95 $51.20
88d
California » Alexander Valley
James Suckling 94 A beautiful red with lots of blackberries, cloves, stone, spice and purple fruit. Its full and balanced with a creamy texture and a
Ridge Vineyards 'East Bench' Zinfandel 2019
$26.95 $37.21
88dCalifornia » Dry Creek Valley
James Suckling 94 Fresh, almost pinot-like sensibility with the mouth feel. A beautifully spread wine that fills the palate, but maintains freshness and brightness. Real purity
Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Zinfandel 2019
$24.95 $31.81
88dCalifornia » Sonoma County
Wine Spectacular 93 An engaging blend, well-knit and distinctive for its savory raspberry and cherry flavors that draw in bay leaf, Asian spice and smoked pepper
Ridge Vineyards 'Paso Robles' Zinfandel 2018
Robert Parker 93 "The 2018 Zinfandel Paso Robles, from Benito Dusi Ranch, bursts with layered aromas of orange peel, blue and black berries, aniseed and floral
Ridge 'Lytton Estate' Petite Sirah 2018
Vinous 96 The 2018 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah is totally stunning. Bright, focused and powerful, the 2018 presents a breathtaking interplay of rich Petite fruit allied
Ridge Vineyards 'Pagani Ranch' Zinfandel 2018
Vinous Media 95 “The 2018 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is superb. A burst of sweet red/purplish fruit, exotic spice, flowers and blood orange fleshes out in a
Ridge Vineyards 'Geyserville' Zinfandel 2018
Wine Spectator 93 "Robust yet brooding, with multilayered black plum, licorice and Asian five-spice powder flavors that build richness toward big, briary tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite
Ridge Vineyards 'East Bench' Zinfandel 2018
Jeb Dunnuck 93 All Zinfandel from the Dry Creek Valley, the 2018 Zinfandel East Bench offers up a great, pure, medium to full-bodied style that carries
Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Zinfandel 2018
Jeb Dunnuck 93 The 2018 Three Valleys is another terrific 2018 from this team. A blend of 70 Zinfandel, 14 Petite Sirah, 12 Carignan, and the
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2018
Vinous Media 96 The 2018 Lytton Springs is magnificent. Elegant, layered and so complete, the 2018 has a lot to offer, but it needs time
Ridge Vineyards 'Monte Bello' Cabernet Blend 2017
California » Santa Cruz Mountains
Jeb Dunnuck 100 "Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2017 1.5L
California » Santa Cruz Mountains
Jeb Dunnuck 100 "Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and
Ridge Vineyards 'East Bench' Zinfandel 2017
Wine Advocate 93 Medium ruby color and scented of violet, lilac, warm peaches and yellow apricot with wet clay, dust, red and black cherries, bramble fruit
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2017
Vinous 94 “Ridge’s 2017 Lytton Springs opens up beautifully, with bright acids that drive a whole range of red/purplish fruit intermingled with floral notes. Creamy and
Ridge 'Lytton Estate' Petite Sirah 2017
Vinous 93 The 2017 Petite Syrah Lytton Estate is another superb wine from Ridges Lytton ranch. Inky dark fruit and expressive savory notes infuse this bombastic,
Ridge Vineyards 'Geyserville' Zinfandel 2017
Robert Parker 95 “A first look at the 2017 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine revealed immense promise. Despite having been in barrel for a mere six months,
Ridge Vineyards 'Paso Robles' Zinfandel 2017
Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points “The 2017 Zinfandel Paso Robles is a bigger, richer wine compared to the Dry Creek Release, and its deep purple color is
Ridge Vineyards 'Pagani Ranch' Zinfandel 2017
"Focused jammy blueberry fruit and pepper on the nose. On the palate, fresh cherry, mineral, firm acidity, balanced structure and long lingering finish."-Winemaker's Notes "Ridge's history
Ridge Vineyards Three Valleys Zinfandel 2017
Wine Spectator 91 Lively and well-built, with expressive cherry, roasted dill and white pepper flavors that glide toward refined tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Grenache.
Ridge Vineyards 'Monte Bello' Cabernet Blend 2016
California » Santa Cruz Mountains
Wine Advocate 98 “The 2016 Monte Bello is stunning, bursting from the glass with aromas of crushed currants, plums, charcoal, sweet spices, black truffle and rich
Ridge Vineyards 'Geyserville' Zinfandel 2016
Vinous Media 91-94 “The 2016 Zinfandel Geyserville is bright, lifted and decidedly medium in body. The flavors are distinctly red toned and the acids
Ridge Vineyards 'East Bench' Zinfandel 2016
Robert Parker 92 "The 2016 Zinfandel East Bench offers up classic aromas of blackberry, cherry pit, warm spices and licorice. On the palate, it's medium to
Ridge Vineyards 'Paso Robles' Zinfandel 2016
Wine Spectator 92 "Appealingly old-school, with briary black cherry and smoky pepper beef flavors. A whiff of coconut helps build zestiness on the long finish. Drink
Ridge 'Lytton Estate' Petite Sirah 2016
Vinous 94 “The 2016 Petite Syrah Lytton Springs is another fabulous wine in this range. Dense and powerful, the 2016 is endowed with striking depth and
Ridge Vineyards Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2016
Vinous Media 94 “The 2016 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch is bright, focused and beautifully perfumed. Bright red cherry, blood orange, pomegranate, mint and rose petal notes are