Ridge Vineyards

Overview

Ridge Vineyards is one of California’s undisputed First Growth estates, founded commercially in 1962 by David Bennion and Stanford engineering partners from vineyards on the Monte Bello ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Paul Draper joined as winemaker in 1969 and served as CEO until his retirement in 2016–2017, defining the winery’s minimalist, terroir-driven philosophy. Otsuka Pharmaceuticals (Japan) purchased the winery in 1987 but left the winemaking philosophy entirely intact. Ridge operates two facilities: the historic Monte Bello winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains (originally built by Dr. Osea Perrone in 1892) and the Lytton Springs winery in Dry Creek Valley (built 2003). Gilman: “Any short list of California First Growths must emphatically include Ridge Vineyards.”

Appellations

• Santa Cruz Mountains — Monte Bello estate (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah)
• Alexander Valley / Geyserville (Sonoma County) — Geyserville vineyard (Zinfandel blend, farmed by Ridge since 1990)
• Dry Creek Valley — Lytton Springs vineyard (Zinfandel blend, purchased 1983)
• Spring Mountain / Napa Valley — York Creek (historical; Petite Sirah 1971–2016, Cabernet 1974–1993, Zinfandel 1975–)
• Amador County — Fiddletown/Eschen Ranch (Zinfandel, historical)

Key Wines

Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon

Ridge’s benchmark wine and one of California’s greatest cabernets. Made from the Monte Bello vineyard, the only pure limestone-based vineyard in California, which imparts a distinctly mineral, Graves-like character. Gilman: “The great Bordeaux estate whose wines mature Monte Bello most approaches stylistically is actually Château La Mission Haut-Brion.”

Winemaking: Fermented with indigenous yeasts; American oak only (since 1962); 100% new oak from the 1987 vintage; malolactic fermentation moved from tank to barrel with 1997 vintage. Gilman notes the pre-1997 vintages (last tank malo = 1996) are more soil-driven than post-1997. Blend typically includes Merlot (~10–22%), Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot alongside Cabernet Sauvignon; labeled as “Monte Bello” in vintages where the blend falls below 75% Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcohol levels characteristically low for California: typically 11.7–13.8%.

Cellar notes (Gilman scores):

• 2014: 94+, needs until 2040+
• 2012: 90+?, drought vintage, gritty tannins, needs 2040+
• 2009: 93–95, suavely structured, ~12.9% abv
• 2007: 95, 13.1% abv, stellar
• 2005: 94, 13.4% abv, superb classic
• 2001: 87, stylistic outlier (heat spikes, 14.2% abv)
• 1999: 93+, 13% abv
• 1996: 96, last tank-malo vintage, most soil-expressive, 13.2% abv
• 1995: 95+, 12.5% abv
• 1994: 95+
• 1993: 94, 12.9% abv
• 1992: 94+
• 1991: 93
• 1990: 94, plateau of maturity, 13.5% abv
• 1987: 96, 11.7% abv, just reaching peak
• 1986: 90 (slight brett)
• 1985: 92 (slight brett)
• 1984: 97, great
• 1978: 95+, still improving
• 1976: 91
• 1975: 93, 11.9% abv
• 1974: 95+, at true apogee; one of the longest-lived 1974s
• 1973: 94
• 1967: 93+

Estate / Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

Second cabernet tier from the same Monte Bello vineyard, formerly labeled “Santa Cruz Mountains.” Raised in 40% new American oak vs. 100% for Monte Bello. Scores: 2013: 92; 2007: 92+.

Geyserville

Field blend predominantly Zinfandel (70–75%), Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre. From 1882-planted vines in the Alexander Valley (Trentadue/Geyserville vineyard). First vintage 1966. Ridge took over farming in 1990. Not labeled as Zinfandel since the varietal percentages vary. 2008: 89.

Lytton Springs

Similar field blend to Geyserville (74%+ Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane). From vines originally planted 1902 on Lytton Springs Road in Dry Creek Valley. First vintage 1972; gap 1977–1982 (owner kept grapes); resumed 1983 from adjacent purchased vineyard. 2008: 89; 1985: 93; 1975: 89; 1974: 94 (greatest ever Lytton Springs); 1976: 86.

York Creek Vineyard Wines (historical, Spring Mountain, Napa)

Fritz Maytag’s vineyard. Ridge produced Petite Sirah (1971–2016), Zinfandel (1975–), and Cabernet Sauvignon (1974–1993). Notably the 1974 York Creek Petite Sirah was still in its prime at 49 years: 93.

Monte Bello Chardonnay

From pure limestone Monte Bello vineyard. Started 1962 (first vintage of the winery). Raised in American oak (mix of French added in more recent years); no new oak; élevage 12–15 months. 2007: 93; 2014: 92.

Merlot

First vintage 1991. Grown in Monte Bello vineyard. Raised in 5% new American oak and “two wine” barrels. 2013: 92.

Petite Sirah (Lytton Springs)

Now their flagship Petite Sirah after York Creek program ended. 1974 York Creek: 93 (great wine, still in its prime at age 49).

Style Notes

• Philosophy: Minimalist, low-intervention, Bordeaux-influenced. All wines fermented with indigenous yeasts (or historically so). American oak exclusively for aging; never switched to French oak despite trends. Wines crafted at deliberately low yields. Paul Draper: “picking at ripeness, but not over ripeness, using extended maceration and aging in oak barrels.”
• Alcohol: Monte Bello Cabernet is characteristically the lowest-alcohol serious Cabernet in California (11.7–13.8%), reflecting both the cool Santa Cruz Mountains microclimate and Ridge’s philosophy. Zinfandels and Chardonnays have trended higher in recent decades with global warming (some now 14–15%).
• Longevity: All Ridge wines designed for long aging. No Monte Bello vintage Gilman has tasted has “gone over the hill” from 1967 forward. 1996 is still drinking at its plateau.
• Oak: Signature American oak imparts characteristic “dill” and “vanillin” notes when young that integrate over time. Monte Bello’s signature scent notes include chipotle peppers and medicinal tones — also found in old La Mission Haut-Brion.
• ATP (Advanced Tasting Program): Exclusive club releases since 1977; currently focused on Rhône varieties and old vine Zinfandels.

My Tastings

(none yet)

Sources

• sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC July-August 2025 #118.txt — Ridge Vineyards feature profile (pages 1–32); extensive tasting notes across all varieties and vintages