Nick Adams MW
Set to be a highlight of The Bottle Shop’s 2025 calendar, we invite you to join in tasting wines from one of California’s most sort after producers on 28th October. To find out more, click here or read more about the prestigious vineyard below.
Ridge was founded in 1885 when Italian ex pat Osea Perrone bought 180 acres at the top of the Monte Bello Ridge in Santa Cruz. He planted vineyards and built the winery and in 1892 made his first release. Like many wineries Prohibition saw the estate abandoned and it was post that era that William Short bought the estate and replanted Bordeaux varieties (mainly Cabernet Sauvignon – a smart move).
By the 1960s the single vineyard Bordeaux blend release of Monte Bello (first commercial release in 1962) was gaining serious reviews and in 1964 Ridge expanded production to make their first Zinfandel. In 1966 Geyserville Zinfandel blend was first made and by the end of the 1960s they were making 3,000 cases. But the real transition period came in 1969 when the legendary Paul Draper joined as head winemaker, and he oversaw the modern era and full renaissance of Ridge – and with it Monte Bello establishing itself as a world class wine.
In 1976, in the now famous “The Judgement of Paris” Ridge Monte Bello 1971 outshone many First and Second great Bordeaux growths when tasted blind by mainly French wine professionals which sealed its worldwide reputation.
In 2016 Draper stepped down as CEO and head winemaker and the mantle was taken up in the intervening years by both Mark Vernon and Eric Bauer, and John Olney (who has been at Ridge for 30 years and oversaw their Lytton Springs Estate) who since 2021 has been COO and head winemaker. Shauna Rosenblum took over running and winemaking at Lytton Springs (which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022).
Ridge Vineyards Head Winemaker John Olney (right), Lytton Springs Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum, and Assistant Winemaker Michael Bairdsmith
Monte Bello – “California’s First Growth”
The Monte Bello vineyard ranges in elevation from 2500 to 2700 feet above sea level and is composed of unique green stone and clay soils layered over decomposing limestone. Limestone is not found in the well-known Cabernet producing areas of Napa and Sonoma Valleys, making the soil composition at Monte Bello a unique and important contributor to the wine’s distinctive character. The combination of elevation, cool climate, and soil produces a wine that is impeccably balanced and destined for long-term aging, with firm acidity and a consistent streak of minerality. The Monte Bello vineyard, located only 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, is part of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, California’s coolest Cabernet producing area.
The Second, declassified Monte Bello wine is called Estate Cabernet.
Ridge makes a diverse range of wines but after Monte Bello they are most famous for their magnificent Zinfandel based blends from mixed single vineyards and all very old vine materials (often well over 100 years). These are sourced from various parcels in Sonoma – such as the famous Dry Creek vineyard. But what makes Ridge’s “Zinfandel’s” unique in the region is they always blend with other warm climate grape varieties and sympathetic varietals – such as Mataro (American for Mourvèdre) Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Counoise, Cinsault, Petite Sirah (Durif). Their two star wines (and oldest plots) are Lytton Springs and Geyserville, but the Three Valleys (made from three different sites as the name implies) also exemplifies their philosophy with these wines – that with blending the total – or overall effect – is greater than the sum of its parts.
Feeling inspired to try some of their iconic wines? Take a look at our menu for the Ridge Winemaker Dinner on October 28th and book tickets here.