Ridge's Zinfandel

Dating back to 1885, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking in California. Their constant search for rare and exceptional vineyards where climate, soil, and variety are ideally matched is an inspiration. In 1976, they astonished the world by their triumph in the Judgement of Paris tasting, and gained cult status almost overnight.

To get there, they have a followed a simple philosophy: working harder in the vineyard to get the best grapes possible. This allows them for minimal intervention in the cellar, drawing all the fruit's natural richness into the wine. Alongside their Montebello wines, they are renowned for their Zinfandels from Lytton Springs and Geyserville vineyards in Sonoma County.

Ridge remains one of the finest operations I visit anywhere in the world. The total commitment to quality, value and customer service simply has no equal in this country. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Ridge’s Story

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; built the Monte Bello winery and produced his first vintage under that name in 1892.

In the 1940s, William Short, a theologian, bought the abandoned winery and vineyard which he replanted with several parcels to Cabernet Sauvignon. 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. Lytton Springs, in Sonoma County, became part of the Ridge estate in 1991.

By the end of the 1960s, when winemaker Paul Draper joined the partnership, the production was just under three thousand cases per year. Under his guidance, the old Perrone winery was restored, the finest vineyard lands leased or purchased, and the consistent quality and international reputation of the wines established. Paul crafted 43 vintages at Ridge and his practical, hands-off approach to winemaking has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines.

Vineyard & Winemaking

Cabernet and Zinfandel account for most of the production; Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Petite Sirah constitute a small percentage. Known primarily for its red wines, Ridge has also made limited amounts of chardonnay since 1962. The vines have been all fully certified organic since 2015.

They still use old winemaking techniques from the 19th-century California wineries and Bordeaux chateaux. They practice little intervention to produce fine, terroir-driven wine from distinctive fruit. Wines are fermented using native yeasts from the vineyard, and no use of commercial enzymes or nutrients to extract tannins and colour takes place in order to encourage healthy nitrogen levels in their soils. A small amount of new oak is used (rarely more than 15%) to let the wine express its true identity.

Ridge Geyserville 2014

Geyserville is home to the oldest vines, some being over 130 years old. The vineyard benefit from warm days, ideal for ripening fruit, and frequent evening breezes and occasional morning fog giving the vines time to rest. The soil is made up of deep gravelly loam mixed with larger river rocks. It is known for its blackberry fruit, ripe plum, rich cherry, and cedar notes and is one of the most age-worthy wine of the estate. It often drinks beautifully well beyond 10 years of age.

60% Zinfandel, 24% Carignane, 12% Petite Sirah, 4% Mataro. aged for 13 months in American oak barrels (15% new). Secure your allocation now.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, delicate watery edge. Red berry accented bouquet, fresh red cherries, the Carignan is noticeable, fine herbal savouriness. Lively, seems light on its feet, a touch of sour cherries, vivid tannins, pleasant spiciness in the aftertaste, discreet extracted sweetness in the background, good development certain ageing potential for ten years or more. – 94 points Falstaff

A classic 2014, the downright sexy, hedonistic and ready to go 2014 Geyserville Proprietary Red Wine (60% Zinfandel, 24% Carignan, 12% Petite Sirah and 4% Mourvèdre) is medium to full-bodied, perfectly balanced and loaded with notions of blackberries, plums, brambly herbs, licorice and spice. It’s relatively soft and already approachable, but it will nevertheless keep through 2024. - 93 points Robert Parker

Just as beautiful from the bottle at is was from barrel. Rich texture and dense on the palate, the 2014 exudes depth, but in the mid-weight style of the year. The complexity of the Zinfandel-based filed blend comes through in spades. The 2014 is creamy and persistent, but also graced with a mid-weight, finessed personality that is impossible to resist. - 93 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Lytton Spring 2015

Lying on gentle rolling hills separating Dry Creek from Alexander Valley, Lytton Spring is planted with 100-plus-year-old Zinfandel vines alongside Petite Sirah, Carignan, and a small amount of Mataro (Mourvèdre) and Grenache. Foggy mornings, warm and sunny afternoons and breezy late evenings makes it an ideal site for growing Zinfandel. Soils are varied with a predominance of gravelly clay, which aids in moisture retention, ensuring that the grapes ripen slowly. The wine is known for its pronounced rusticity and earthiness often attributed to Petite Sirah and Carignan. Acid and tannin are firm, yet not overwhelming and dominated by the fruits. A balanced and powerful wine which often holds for more than a decade.

74% Zinfandel,16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignane, 2% Mataro (Mourvedre). Aged in American oak barrels (15% new) for 14 months. Secure your allocation now.

A true field blend, with 16% Petite Sirah, 8% Carignan and 2% Mourvedre, this is one of California’s most consistent Zins. It has a sumptuous cherry nose. On the palate it is rich and explosive, with zest and drive. Textured and grippy, but shows no sign of being over-extracted. – 92 points Decanter

Intensely aromatic, but also tightly wound, the 2015 only hints at its true potential. Deceptively medium body, the 2015 packs a real punch - 94+ Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com