Ridge Vineyard Wine

Ridge Vineyard is a producer that has received critical acclaim for its efforts in winemaking, proving the huge impact this winery has had on the community. Ridge Vineyards is one of the largest farms in Sonoma County and has a ‘Pre-industrial’ approach to winemaking, as they believe that anyone attempting to make fine wine using modern additives and industrial processing limits the true quality. Another philosophy they use is the Single-vineyard philosophy, as the team believes the best wine comes from specific patches of ground. These philosophies help boost the vineyard, making them stand out compared to others.

Ridge Vineyard Wines

Ridge Vineyard wines, with their critically acclaimed status, have triumphed over some of France's most revered wines. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that Ridge Vineyard consistently delivers. Let's delve into some of the best offerings from Ridge Vineyard.

Produced from vines planted on the eastern and western halves of the vineyard, the Lytton Springs Sonoma County is a blend of 72% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan and 2% Alicante Bouschet. It is a rich and elegant wine from one of the top producers in California. The scent is elegant and fragrant, with plenty of cherry and blackberry and some slight hints of spice and vanilla. It's medium in the body and has a firm tannin, which is key to this wine's longevity. It has a big flavour with red and black fruit, again mixed with the nose scents of spice and vanilla.

Another impressive and popular wine from Ridge Vineyard Wines would be the Cabernet Sauvignon. It is mostly from the famed Monte Bello vineyard. A red wine with a small percentage of Merlot (6%) is a largely flavoursome wine from the winemakers at Ridge Vineyard. Similar to the Lytton Springs Sonoma County wine, this features the taste and aroma of fruits such as cherry and blackberry. This wine has an incredibly long finish that is intense and deeply flavoured.

Ridge Vineyard Heritage

Ridge Vineyard is based in the Santa Cruz mountains and was established back in 1962, yet the history of Ridge Vineyard actually starts back in 1885 when a doctor called Osea Perrone bought 180 acres near the peak of Monte Bello Ridge, planting vineyards and constructing the Monte Bello Winery. In the 1940s, William Short bought the abandoned winery and vineyard, replanting several parcels to Cabernet Sauvignon. These vines are now the middle vineyard and are called the Torre Ranch, creating some of the best wines from California in its time period.

A huge part of the history was in 1964, the introduction of Zinfandel. These wines had regional character and intensity. The founding families reclaimed the Monte Bello terraces; they increased the vineyard size from 15 to 45 acres. In 1969, Paul Draper joined the partnership, bringing in traditional methods with a “hands-off” approach and establishing constant quality and an international reputation.