Ridge Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards is a historic Californian estate with a reputation for producing restrained, ageworthy wines that emphasise site over style. The winery operates across two key locations: Monte Bello in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Lytton Springs in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley. Monte Bello, perched at high altitude on limestone-rich soils, is home to Ridge Vineyards’ flagship Bordeaux blend of the same name. The vineyard’s cool climate and low yields result in wines with natural acidity, moderate alcohol, and long ageing potential.

Lytton Springs, by contrast, is focused on field blends of old-vine Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, and Carignan. These wines are known for their structure and spice, and have become benchmarks for Californian Zinfandel. Ridge’s approach to winemaking is defined by low intervention: native yeasts, minimal SO₂, and transparent labelling of all ingredients used. This commitment to clarity and balance stems from the influence of Paul Draper, who led the estate from 1969 until his retirement in 2016.

Today, Ridge Vineyards continues to focus on expressing its distinct vineyard sites with precision and consistency. While best known for Monte Bello, its broader range, particularly Geyserville and Lytton Springs, remains central to its identity and international appeal.