Ridge Vineyards
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Perched high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello Estate offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to savor its extraordinary single-vineyard wines, all while taking in breathtaking views of Silicon Valley below.
A mere 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, this jewel of the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA has a history as rich as its wines. Established in 1885, Monte Bello was brought back to life in 1959 by four visionary engineers from the Stanford Research Institute. Their efforts culminated in the founding of Ridge Vineyards in 1962. The appointment of Paul Draper as winemaker in 1969 marked a pivotal moment, propelling Ridge to global acclaim after their resounding success at the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Today, Ridge Vineyards is celebrated for its impeccable Bordeaux blends and Chardonnays from the revered Monte Bello terroir, as well as its distinguished Zinfandels from Lytton Springs and Geyserville in Sonoma County.
Often referred to as America’s First Growth, Monte Bello consistently produces wines of remarkable structure, complexity, and balance. These are wines that not only captivate in their youth but also reward patience, evolving gracefully over decades. This is a testament to Ridge Vineyards’ steadfast commitment to quality and its deep reverence for the vineyard's inherent character.
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The winemaking philosophy at Ridge is beautifully simple: grow the most concentrated and flavorful grapes in the vineyard, and then allow the wine to naturally express this richness with minimal intervention.
Visitors to the estate are treated to a curated tasting experience, where the exquisite wines are thoughtfully paired with local artisanal delights such as Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, Journeyman salumi, and Rustic Bakery olive oil flatbread.
Ridge Vineyards stands as a beacon of excellence, where every bottle is a reflection of an unwavering dedication to quality and a profound respect for the vineyard’s natural expression.