Ridge Vineyards

Founded in its modern form in 1962, the winery is based in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Cupertino, with a second major estate at Lytton Springs in Sonoma County. Its roots go back even further to 1885, when vineyards were first planted on Monte Bello Ridge by Italian doctor Osea Perrone.

Ridge gained international fame after its 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon placed highly at the Judgment of Paris, helping prove that California wines could rival the best of Bordeaux.

The estate is especially associated with two flagship styles:

• Monte Bello (a Cabernet Sauvignon–based blend from high-altitude vineyards)
• Zinfandel-based field blends from historic vineyards like Geyserville and Lytton Springs

In addition, Ridge produces smaller amounts of Chardonnay, Syrah, Grenache, and other varietals.

A defining feature of Ridge is its philosophy of “pre-industrial” winemaking—minimal intervention, native yeasts, and a strong focus on expressing the vineyard (terroir). The winery has also been a leader in transparency, even listing ingredients on labels, and is heavily involved in organic and sustainable farming.

Under longtime winemaker Paul Draper, Ridge built a reputation for consistency, structure, and age-worthy wines that combine New World fruit with Old World restraint. Today, it remains one of the benchmark producers in the United States, often compared to top Bordeaux estates for its flagship wines.

In short, Ridge Vineyards stands out for its historical significance, terroir-driven philosophy, and ability to produce some of California’s most age-worthy and respected wines, especially from Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.