Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz

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 still Ridge's production facility. In the late 1950's, Dave Bennion and his three partners, all Stanford Research Institute engineers, made a quarter-barrel of "estate" Cabernet from these vines. That Monte Bello Cabernet was among California's finest wines of the era. Its quality and distinctive character convinced the partners to re-bond the winery in time for the 1962 vintage. 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. 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-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 were leased or purchased, and the consistent quality and international reputation of the wines was established. Cabernet Sauvignon 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. In 2000 Paul Draper was named Decanter Magazine's "Man of the Year", and in 2006 as The San Francisco Chronicle's "Winemaker of the Year". In October 2009 Wine & Spirits magazine named Ridge Winery as a 'Winery of the Year' for the 12th time.

Chardonnay 2009 Santa Cruz Mountains Ridge produced its first Monte Bello Chardonnay in 1962 from fully mature vines planted in the late 1940s. In the '60s, they extended the old Cabernet vineyard, but not the Chardonnay. Production never exceeded ten barrels, and the wine was sold principally from the winery. Several great vintages, among them the 1973, '74, '79, and '84, showed that Monte Bello's cool climate and fractured limestone sub-soils were well suited to this varietal. By 1985, the old vines were producing less then a half-ton per acre; the younger ones, planted in the 70s, were providing the majority of grapes. These newer plantings were on the "lower" vineyard, which was not yet farmed as part of the Monte Bello estate, so the wine was designated "Santa Cruz Mountains" Chardonnay. The vines are now included in the estate, and produce a Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay annually. In years when differences among the lots are sufficiently pronounced to warrant a separate bottling, they make a few barrels of Monte Bello Chardonnay as well. "The 2009 Chardonnay Estate is an impeccable, classy wine layered with bright citrus, flowers and just a touch of sweetness from the oak. Crushed rocks and lime peel add complexity on the textured, long finish. In 2009 none of the blocks were designated for the Monte Bello bottling, all of the fruit went into the Estate. This is a stunningly pure wine from Ridge. I came back to the 2009 Estate after having tasted all of the reds and the wine showed beautifully. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019." 95 points, Wine Advocate, Aug 2011

Three Valleys 2009 Sonoma County The history of the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys began with the release of the 2001. The wine contains grapes from a number of Sonoma vineyards - this year, seven. The winery takes great care in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested, then crushed and fermented at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs. Unlike the single-vineyard wines, which reflect the distinctive character of each site, Three Valleys represents the blending of vineyards, winemaking at its finest. Zinfandel determines the wine's varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah spice, depth of colour, and firm tannins; grenache brings briary fruit and lively tannins.

Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2007 The limestone ridge that is Monte Bello Vineyard was first planted by Italian immigrants in 1885. Today it produces one of California's most distinctive and collectable wines, the Ridge Monte Bello and its able lieutenant, the Santa Cruz Cabernet/Merlot. This wine doesn't stray too far from its famous sibling's style. Pure red fruit with minerality to spare; it is poised and balanced. This wine doesn't hammer the palate, it caresses it. Enjoy it now with some decanting or put it away for a few years and follow its evolution. "(58% Cabernet Sauvignon and 42% Merlot) Deep ruby. Black raspberry and cola on the nose, made more complex by notes of vanilla, pipe tobacco and cracked pepper. Firm, mineral-accented red and dark berry and bitter cherry flavours become sweeter with air and pick up a suggestion of mint. Sweet and focused on the finish, which repeats the vanilla and cherry notes. This wine is made from the younger vines of the Monte Bello vineyard." 91 points, International Wine Cellar, Dec 2010

Lytton Springs 2009 - Dry Creek Valley Lytton Springs bottlings are generally perceived as quintessential Zinfandel, which is true, as far as it goes. On the Ridge Lytton Estate (East), Zinfandel grows atop seven hills; Petite Sirah surrounds the Zin on six, Grenache on the seventh - an unusual configuration. There is some interplanting. Lytton Estate (West) is a magnificent hodgepodge of grapes, including more Zinfandel, which seems so at home here. The wines are classic Dry Creek Valley. They show the potent, ripe boysenberry and blackberry of old-vine Sonoma Zinfandel, notes of leaf and briar, and the intricacy of multiple varietals. Acid and tannin are firm, yet not overwhelming; in youth, at least, fruit predominates. These balanced, powerful Zins become more nuanced with age. Also available in 375 mls "The 2009 Lytton Springs is the biggest and most structured of these 2009 Zinfandel-based reds, largely owing to the earthier soils and the presence 23% Petite Sirah. Black fruit, plums, tar, licorice and smoke are some of the notes that flow from this generous, inviting red. The Lytton Springs is fairly structured, and can definitely benefit from another year or two (perhaps more) in bottle. The blend is 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah and 5% Carignane. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2029. " 95 points, Wine Advocate, Aug 2011

Geyserville 2009 - Sonoma County Located on the western edge of Sonoma's Alexander Valley, Geyserville was Ridge's first source of red wine grapes, other than Monte Bello Ridge. The first vintage - 1966 - was an essence. The combination of Geyserville's climate, gravelly soils, and varietal mix (Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Alicante, Mataro, etc.) imparts elegance and definition not usually associated with zinfandel. It's hard to describe a "typical" Geyserville. Each vintage is unique, distinct, extraordinary. Yet they do have elements in common, including the blackest of blackberry fruit, peppery spice, tar, cedar. The term "layered" was invented for Geyserville. And the wines change, re-inventing themselves in bottle, developing more nuance and complexity as years pass. The '73 still shines. Most ageworthy of all Ridge "Zinfandels," they can be (witness the '97) magnificent when young. Go taste a Geyserville. Any vintage will do. Also available in 375 mls "The 2009 Geyserville is a gorgeous wine. It shows expressive inner perfume, sweet black cherries, menthol and minerals. This is an understated, exceptionally elegant red endowed with considerable finesse and fabulous overall balance. A round, sensual finish makes it impossible to resist a second taste. In 2009 the blend is 74% Zinfandel, 17% Carignane, 6% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet and 1% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2029. " 94 points, Wine Advocate, Aug 2011

Monte Bello 2008 "The 2008 Monte Bello is striking. It is a decidedly muscular Monte Bello endowed with layers of dark fruit. Tobacco, mint, asphalt and crushed rocks develop in the glass, adding tons of complexity and finesse. A long, saline finish rounds things out beautifully. In 2008 the cold growing season stretched into October and the wine definitely has the feel of a cool vintage. The spring frost and the second year of drought conditions lowered yields significantly. Yields were just 1.25 tons per acre on average, but some of the older vineyards came in at less than 1 ton per acre. The balance of fruit, tannin and structure is simply extraordinary, but the wine needs time, most likely lots of it. In 2008 the blend is 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038." 97+ pts, Wine Advocate, Aug 2011

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