Select 2014

Select2014

Exceptional single-vineyard wines since 1962.

Welcome!Thank you for your support of our wines and our winemaking philosophy. Since 1959, we have used traditional techniques to produce single vineyard wines that express the individual character of their site.

With this harvest, we celebrate ifty years of Ridge zinfandels. Our irst, in 1964, came from vines planted on Monte Bello Ridge in the 1880s. That wine introduced us to the incredible quality and complexity possible in old-vine zinfandel. In the early years, a limited amount of Monte Bello cabernet and chardonnay from existing vines provided our only income. More production was needed for Ridge to survive and prosper while we replanted cabernet blocks abandoned during prohibition. Inspired by that irst attempt, we started searching California for other old zinfandel vineyards. Thus began a ifty-year commitment to share the Monte Bello stage with ine zinfandel.

With best wishes,

Paul DraperCEO & Senior Winemaker

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

www.ridgewine.com | page 2

Dr. Osea Perrone of San Francisco buys 180 acres on Monte Bello Ridge, plants vines, builds a stone winery.

Three scientists from Stanford University’s Research Institute (SRI) and their families form a partnership and buy Dr. Short’s property. One of them, David Bennion, makes a half barrel of cabernet from the ten year old vines.

The partners re-bond the winery and make their i rst Ridge Monte Bello.

Ridge produces their i rst zinfandel from 19th century vines near the base of Monte Bello Ridge.

Ridge produces its i rst Geyserville, from vines planted in 1882 in Sonoma County.

Paul Draper joins the partnership as winemaker.

19591966

1969

1962

19641885

The original crusher de-stemmer driven by a horse and mule.

The Founding Partners


Ridge produces the irst Lytton Springs from vines planted in 1902.

Judgment of Paris

Ridge buys the Lytton Springs winery and its old vineyards.

30 year repeat of the Judgment of Paris. The 1971 and 2000 Monte Bello cabernets win irst place in both the original vintage wine and new vintage wine categories in London and California.

Ridge celebrates 50 year anniversary

Ridge celebrates 50 years of producing zinfandel

1972

1976

1991

2006

2012

2014

Paul Draper New Lytton Springs Winery

Judgment of Paris

50 YEARS OF ZINFANDEL


2014 marks our 50th year of producing fi ne, site-specifi c zinfandels sourced

primarily from pre-prohibition old vine vineyards.

The Ridge founding families purchased the old Torre winery on Monte Bello

Ridge in 1959. (It’s where our tasting room is today.) All Monte Bello’s caber-

net vineyards had been abandoned during Prohibition (1920-1933), though

two small 19th-century zinfandel parcels near the base of the ridge survived.

In 1949, Torre’s then-owner replanted eight acres of cabernet near the top of

the ridge. Now sixty-six years old, it is one of the oldest cabernet vineyards in

California.

One of the partners, Dave Bennion, made an astounding half-barrel of

this wine in 1959, and its quality convinced the families to re-bond the winery.

In 1962, they ofi cially produced four hundred cases of Ridge Monte Bello Cab-

ernet.

The partners all had full-time jobs. As they began more replanting, they

realized they could not expand the vineyard and improve the winery on the in-

come from such limited production. They looked for cabernet grapes to buy, but

the few existing cabernet vineyards either had no grapes to sell, or did not meet

their standards.

Driving up to Ridge for their weekends of vineyard work, the families

often stopped at Picchetti winery to purchase gallon jugs of zinfandel—the last

made before the old vines were abandoned in the late i fties. The wines showed

the full body and intense fruit of those 19th-century vines. Seeing a chance to

increase production, Dave Bennion approached the Picchettis, arranging to

restore the abandoned vines and buy the grapes. And we made our i rst zinfan-

del, labeled simply “Ridge California Zinfandel 1964.” Released a year-and-a-

half later, it was a success. By then, the partners were negotiating with Leo and

Evelyn Trentadue, owners of i fty acres above the Torre property, which included

an old winery building, but no surviving vines. The Trentadues had recently sold

their Santa Clara valley orchards, and moved to Sonoma to grow grapes. The

partners had convinced them to sell the abandoned building—the eighty-year-

old Monte Bello Winery—and, in the process, in 1966, arranged to buy some of

their old-vine zinfandel grapes—our i rst Geyserville.

In 1967, Ridge made a Jimsomare zinfandel from Monte Bello’s other

19th-century parcel,

and also its irst zinfan-

del from Benito Dusi’s

ranch in Paso Robles.

1969 brought several

Lodi zinfandels, and one

from Fulton, in Sonoma.

I joined Ridge that

same year, and my irst

zinfandel epiphany was

the 1969 Picchetti. The

Monte Bello had lured

me to Ridge, but I now

found myself with two

loves, as I discovered the

depth of fruit and com-

plexity of ine zinfandel. In 1970, we made the irst of four vintages from surviving 19th-century

vines on the Morelli ranch near Occidental. In 1971, we bought zinfandel from

the Pronsolino vineyard on Vinegar Ridge, above Anderson Valley, known today

as DuPratt. My good friend from university and winemaking partner in Chile, Fritz

Maytag, provided the old-vine fruit for our irst petite sirah, the 1971 York Creek,

from Spring Mountain above Napa Valley. Three years later, we made our irst York

Creek zinfandel.

On a cold, rainy day in the winter of 1971/72, I joined Dick Sherwin

for a tramp through the mud at his Valley Vista Vineyard, on Lytton Springs Road.

Those old, head-trained vines with their thick, twisted trunks persuaded me to buy

his fruit that year. When we released the wine two years later, I named it “Lytton

Springs.” (Ridge was able to buy the vineyard in 1990.) In 1972, we also bought

old-vine zinfandel from George Zeni’s vineyard above Anderson Valley. In 1973

came the irst of ten vintages of Langtry Road wines from John Gantner’s School

House Vineyard above St. Helena. In 1974, we explored the Sierra foothills, and

made zinfandel from the Fiddletown, Esola, Story, and Baldinelli vineyards.

Since then, we have made zinfandel from thirty more old-vine vineyards,

among them Park-Muscatine and Beatty on Howell Mountain; Evangelho on the

Sacramento River Delta; Nervo, Mazzoni, and Buchignani in Sonoma, as well as

Pagani, and Ponzo.

Paul Draper, Monte Bello Ridge, February 2014

PRODUCED AND BOTTLED BY BCRZ RIDGE VINEYARDS,17100 MONTE BELLO ROAD, CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA.ALCOHOL 12.6 PERCENT BY VOLUME BOTTLED 11-65

RIDGE CALIFORNIAZINFANDEL1964


A LIMITED PRODUCTION


85% mataro, 15% petite sirah

This wine from a small hillside parcel at Lytton West is usually included in the Lytton Springs. In 2012, however, it merited a separate bottling. It exhibits herb and fl oral aromas; addition of petite sirah adds structure and dark fruit. Enjoyable now, this appealing wine will continue to

develop over the next i ve or six years. JO (12/13)

11 BARRELS PRODUCED

Tasting Notes: Aromas of clove, licorice, leather and chaparral. On the palate plum fruit, balanced acidity, supple tannins with notes of tobacco

and eucalyptus on the i nish. JO (08/14)


FROM OUR LIBRARY


Tasting Notes: Spicy aromas of cedar, coffee, cola syrup, and cinnamon complement

dark black cherry/plum fruit, cedar, and tar. Fruit in good balance with chalky tannins.

Needs time to open, and time to age.

For the i rst time in three years, the growing season began on schedule. In early June,

however, cold wet winds directly off the Pacii c caught the Monte Bello vines in

bloom. Though this cut down the number of berries, it reduced berry size as well, im-

proving the odds for ripeness and intensity at harvest. Despite several very warm days

in August, and again in September, the season was cool. Merlot came in between the

i rst and i fteenth of October, followed by the cabernet. After a natural primary fer-

mentation, most of the lots completed a natural malolactic in barrel, the rest in tank.

As part of our ongoing comparison, over ninety percent was aged in new, air-dried

american oak, the remainder in new french oak. Twenty-one of the thirty-four parcels

were chosen for this wine. In January of its second winter, a quarter of the barrels

were heavily i ned with fresh egg whites, the equivalent of i ve per barrel for the

entire lot. The 2000 Monte Bello, one of the i nest wines of this vintage in California,

celebrates the end of a century and the beginning of another. Complex and beauti-

fully balanced, its full promise will be apparent with six years of bottle age. PD (3/02)

2000 MONTE BELLO2000 Monte Bello, bottled March 200175% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot, 2% cabernet francVineyard Production: 113 tons from 108 acresSelection: 43%


2014 FALL RELEASES



2011 Monte Bello

Tasting Notes: Saturated ruby/purple color.

Marvelously-scented rich mountain bramble fruit,

intense anise/fennel, ginger, cardamom, fl int. Black

currant/cassis entry, coffee, forest fl oor, crushed

rock. Full body, elegant chalky tannins, refreshing

acidity in a lengthy i nish.

2012 Lytton Springs

Tasting Notes: Black cherry, vanilla, toasty oak and

mint aromas. Complex fl avors of raspberry, black

olive, licorice with chalky tannins. Long i nish with

intriguing notes of pepper and spice.

Vinous Media (July 2014), 93+ Points: “The 2012 Lytton Springs is quite reserved,

compact and inward at this stage. There is good density and depth in the glass, but

the elements aren’t fully formed just yet. While most of Ridge’s 2012s are quite open

today, that is not at all the case with the Lytton Springs. The 2012 is going to need

time.” -Antonio Galloni

Vinous Media (July 2014), 93 Points: “The 2011 Monte Bello is quite open in this

vintage. Silky, soft and accessible, the 2011 appears to be built for medium-term

drinking. Sage, rosemary, lavender, licorice and menthol add complexity to a core of

dark plum and cherries as the 2011 opens up in the glass. Overall, the 2011 is a solid

Mont Bello, if a little less exciting than it was last year.” -Antonio Galloni

NOTES & REVIEWS


2012 Petite Sirah

Tasting Notes: Dark purple in color, toasty oak,

pepper, fennel and mint on the nose; concentrated

blackberry/plum fruit on the palate with a full tannic

structure and notes of cocoa and mint on the inish.

2012 Pagani Ranch

Tasting Notes: Deep garnet color; ripe stone

fruit aroma, with tart strawberry and oak spice;

medium full entry, sweet-tart cherry fruit, multi-

layered, mineral, earthy, coated tannins, irm acid,

moderately long inish.

Vinous Media (July 2014), 91+ Points: “The 2012 Zinfandel Pagani Ranch wraps

around the palate with silky, perfumed fruit and tons of varietal character. The late

harvest in this cool, Sonoma Valley site yielded a ripe, intensely aromatic Zinfandel

with notable persistence and sweet, suave tannins. As opposed to many other

Ridge’s other Sonoma wines, Pagani Ranch is predominantly Zinfandel, and that is

exactly what comes through.” -Antonio Galloni

Vinous Media (July 2014), 93 Points: “The 2012 Petite Sirah Lytton Estate is

absolutely delicious. The addition of 10% Zinfandel has softened the typically burly

Petit tannins, resulting in a wine that delivers tons of pure pleasure. Menthol, cloves

and lavender wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit in a gorgeous Petite with soft

contours (for Petite) and terriic overall balance.” -Antonio Galloni


SOMM SYMPOSIUM


In what has become an annual event at Ridge, we invite a dozen or more top sommeliers for two days of tastings and to experience Ridge.

Our 2014 Wine Symposium Alumni

2013 ATTENDEESVanessa Bazzani , Veritable Quandary, Portland, OregonFred Cabrera, Red The Steakhouse, Miami Beach, FloridaFred Dame, American Wine & Spirits, San Francisco, CaliforniaPhilip Hirrel, Marcello’s Chophouse, Albuquerque , New MexicoBruno Marini, Strega Waterfront, Boston, MassachusettsAugustus Miller, Charlie Palmer, Costa Mesa, CaliforniaDave Poore, St. Elmo’s Steakhouse, Indianapolis, IndianaCharles Puglia, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, New YorkSteve Steese, Shanahan’s, Denver, ColoradoFrank Stitt, Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, AlabamaRyan Stotz, Consultant, Eugene, Oregon

2014 ATTENDEESPaul Botamer, Ritz Carlton & Fearings Restaurant, Dallas, TexasMichael Buckelew, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado Ryanne Carrier, Sea Island Resorts, Sea Island, Georgia Arthur Hon, Sepia, Chicago, IllinoisMatt Rebarchick, Gordon Ramsay Steak (MGM), Las Vegas, NevadaJune Rodil, McGuire Moorman Hospitality Group, Austin, TexasDarryl Smith, RPM, Chicago, IllinoisTroy Smith, Montage - Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach, CaliforniaNatalie Tapken, Lure Fish Bar, New York, New YorkJennifer Wagoner, Zuma Restaurant, Miami, Florida Kate Willer, Arlington Club, New York, New York


2011 ATTENDEESGlenn Bardgett, Annie Gunn’s, Chesterield, MissouriStefan Blicker, BP Wine, St. Helena, CaliforniaSandy Block, Legal Sea Foods, Boston, MassachusettsRoger Dagorn, Porter House, New York, New YorkDan Davis, Commander’s Palace, New Orleans, LouisianaJill Gubesch, Frontera Grill, Chicago, IllinoisJennifer Hazard, Donovan’s Steakhouse, Phoenix, ArizonaElise Loehr, F. Scott’s Restaurant, Nashville, TennesseeDavid Lombardo, Benchmarc Restaurants, New York, New YorkChris Nostvick, Blackbird, Chicago, IllinoisVirginia Philip, The Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach, FloridaChristopher Sawyer, The Lodge of Sonoma, Sonoma, CaliforniaJacob Schwimmer, L20, Chicago, IllinoisCara Schwindt, Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, UtahMatt Weiss, BLT Prime, New York, New YorkBrian Weitzman, MGM Grand/Shibuya, Las Vegas, NevadaJoe Zugelder, Benchmark Wine Group, Napa, California

2012 ATTENDEESRobert Davis, Edge at the Four Seasons, Denver, ColoradoJustin Jelinek, Elway’s at the Ritz, Denver, ColoradoBrandt Lens, Mastro’s Steakhouse, Chicago, IllinoisJames Rahn, Benny’s Chophouse, Chicago, IllinoisJason Sherman, Brennan’s, Houston, TexasJoi Graham, Dominick’s Steakhouse, Scottsdale, ArizonaTodd Lincicome, Al Biernat’s Restaurant, Dallas, TexasHeidi Turzyn, David Burke & Donatella, New York, New YorkBrahm Callahan, Grill 23, Boston, MassachusettsMatt Reiser, Upstairs on the Square, Cambridge, MassachusettsGreg Majors, Craft Restaurant, New York, New York

2014 HIGHLIGHTS



OUR WINEMAKERS


DAVID GATES, Vice President of Vineyard Operations

PAUL DRAPER, CEO & Winemaker


ERIC BAUGHER, Vice President of Winemaking at Monte Bello

JOHN OLNEY, Vice President of Winemaking at Lytton Springs

OUR MARKETING TEAM


CHRISTINA DONLEY, Northwest Regional Sales Manager

DAVID AMADIA, Vice President of Sales & Marketing

SEAN YAMAMOTO, Marketing & Sales Coordinator


MIKE TORINO, Eastern Regional Sales Manager

DAN BUCKLER, Southwest Regional Sales Manager

NOTES



OUR THANKS


We want to thank you for your support, interest, and continued enthusiasm for our wines.

If you are ever in our area, please don’t forget to drop by, better yet—contact us in advance—we’ll take really good care of you!

MONTE BELLO IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

17100 MONTE BELLO ROADCUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA

408.867.3233

LYTTON SPRINGS IN SONOMA COUNTY

650 LYTTON SPRINGS ROADHEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA

707.433.7721

CONTACT INFORMATION

David Amadia, VP Sales & Marketing, 408.868.1704, [email protected]

Dan Buckler, Southwest Region, 415.971.9709, [email protected]

Christina Donely, Northwest Region, 707.974.4619, [email protected]

Mike Torino, Eastern Region, 561.267.9142, [email protected]

Sean Yamamoto, Marketing Coordinator, 408.868.1317, [email protected]

www.ridgewine.com

Documents

Select 2014