Ridge Vineyards #162
Innovation and Sustainability. Pioneering Single-Vineyard Winemaking
Since its first vintage in 1962, Ridge Vineyards has championed single-vineyard winemaking, seeking out California’s most exceptional vineyards where climate, soil, and varietal are in perfect harmony. From the steep slopes of Monte Bello to the historic Zinfandel sites of Sonoma County, Ridge has consistently set the standard for terroir-driven wines with a commitment to authenticity and excellence. The story of Ridge Vineyards dates back to 1885, when Italian immigrant Osea Perrone established a winery on Monte Bello Ridge, using native limestone to construct a gravity-flow cellar and cultivate Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards thrived until Prohibition, after which the property changed hands multiple times before being revitalized in the 1940s by theologian William Short. His efforts in replanting the vines set the foundation for what would become one of California’s most esteemed wine estates.
In the 1960s, a group of Stanford Research Institute engineers – Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, and Howard Ziedler – rediscovered Monte Bello and began crafting Cabernet Sauvignon with a hands-off, vineyard-focused approach. Their success led to the official founding of Ridge Vineyards in 1962. By 1964, Ridge introduced its first Zinfandel, and in 1966, the first Geyserville Zinfandel was produced, establishing the winery’s reputation for expressive, site-specific wines.
A New Era of Visionary Winemaking
In 1969, Paul Draper joined Ridge Vineyards, bringing a philosophy that blended tradition with innovation. Draper emphasized minimal intervention, allowing the vineyards to express themselves naturally. Under his leadership, Ridge grew into an internationally recognized winery, pioneering sustainable practices long before they became industry standards. The winery’s commitment to organic and sustainable farming remains at the core of its philosophy today.
Expanding the Legacy. Judgment of Paris: A Defining Moment
Ridge continued its pursuit of vineyard excellence, acquiring and developing new sites while maintaining an unwavering focus on quality. In 1991, Ridge added Lytton Springs to its estate, recognizing the vineyard’s extraordinary potential for Zinfandel and field-blend wines. Today, with decades of experience working with historic vineyards such as Monte Bello, Geyserville, and Lytton Springs, Ridge remains dedicated to producing wines of depth, structure, and authenticity. In 1976, Ridge Vineyards made history at the Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting that forever changed the perception of California wines. Competing against France’s most esteemed Bordeaux, Ridge’s 1971 Monte Bello placed among the top wines, proving that California could produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. This landmark event solidified Ridge’s standing as a global wine icon and continues to inspire its pursuit of excellence.
The Original Tasting, 1976: A New Era of California Wine
On May 24th, 1976, Steven Spurrier, an Englishman running a wine shop and wine school in Paris, organized a tasting of six top California cabernets and chardonnays to celebrate the American Bicentennial. He added four Bordeaux wines and four white Burgundies to act as markers against which to evaluate the Californians. The judges were among the best tasters in France, and, to everyone’s surprise, chose a California wine over the French for both the red and white flights. The tasting became known as the Judgment of Paris, and ended an era in which it was thought that fine wine came only from Europe. The response of the French judges to the results was that the California wines would not age and the French wines would win if tasted again in 30 years.
Results 1976
- 14.14 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973
- 14.09 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1970
- 13.64 Chateau Montrose 1970
- 13.23 Chateau Haut-Brion 1970
- 12.14 Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 1971
- 11.18 Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1971
- 10.36 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1970
- 10.14 Clos Du Val Winery 1972
- 9.95 Mayacamas Vineyards 1971
- 9.45 Freemark Abbey Winery 1969
Winemaking at Ridge: Tradition, Innovation & Sustainability
Ridge Vineyards blends time-honored winemaking techniques with a forward-thinking commitment to sustainability. Led by Head Winemaker John Olney, alongside Lytton Springs Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum and Assistant Winemaker Michael Bairdsmith, the team remains dedicated to crafting wines that reflect the authenticity of each vineyard. Ridge’s “pre-industrial” approach emphasizes minimal intervention, relying on native yeasts and traditional methods to preserve the distinct terroir of its vineyards. Transparency is a core value, with every ingredient listed on the label, highlighting the purity of the winemaking process. Sustainability is woven into every aspect of operations. As of 2022, 100% of Ridge’s estate vineyards are certified organic, with additional recognition as Fish Friendly Farming and Sonoma County Certified Sustainable. In 2023, Ridge established a Sustainability Committee to further drive eco-conscious initiatives, from lightweight packaging to water conservation efforts. Committed to achieving carbon neutrality, Ridge Vineyards is a proud member of International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), working toward Net Zero emissions by 2050. Through innovation and responsibility, Ridge continues to preserve its vineyards for future generations while crafting wines of exceptional quality.
