Ridge Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Region and Vineyards

Ridge’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is sourced exclusively from the historic Monte Bello Vineyard, perched in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA - an appellation distinct from both California’s North and Central Coasts. Nestled between elevations of 1,300 to 2,670 feet, the site benefits from a cool maritime climate, long growing seasons, and low-yielding vines rooted in fractured limestone over greenstone-clay loams. These mountain soils imbue the wine with natural acidity, mineral depth, and age-worthy structure.

The vineyard was first planted in 1886, abandoned mid-20th century, then replanted in phases beginning in the late 1940s. Some of the vines now producing for the Estate Cabernet date back over 65 years. Most fruit for this cuvée comes from the Klein Ranch parcel, selected for its accessibility in youth while retaining the mineral spine and complexity that define Monte Bello’s terroir. With yields averaging just 2.1 tons per acre, concentration is assured even before the grapes reach the cellar.

Winemaking

The 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, all estate-grown and hand-harvested. The fruit was destemmed, sorted, and fermented as 100% whole berries using only native yeasts. The wine underwent full malolactic fermentation on indigenous bacteria and was aged for 19 months in air-dried American oak barrels, 50% of which were new.

Ridge adheres to a minimal intervention philosophy, using only essential additions—such as a modest dose of sulfur (35 ppm at crush, 158 ppm during aging)—and avoids unnecessary manipulation. With 13.3% alcohol, the wine is balanced and restrained by modern standards, showcasing freshness and transparency over excess.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep garnet core with youthful clarity at the rim.
• Aroma: Aromatics reveal blackcurrant, blackberry, blue fruit, dried lavender, anise, and toasted brioche, underscored by earthy mineral nuances.
• Palate: Concentrated but refined, with notes of berry compote, sarsaparilla, and cola evolving into blackcurrant and dark chocolate. The structure is firm yet polished, carried by chalky tannins and vibrant acidity, leading to a poised, mineral-laced finish.

Did you know?

Though Ridge Monte Bello is its iconic flagship, the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon emerged as a separate label in 2008, designed to express parcels from the Monte Bello estate that are more approachable in their youth. It still offers profound terroir expression and longevity, but in a more open-knit frame - essentially a second wine that could stand on its own among Napa’s finest mountain Cabernets.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Dry-aged ribeye with bone marrow butter: Complements the wine’s depth and savory nuance.
• Lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic confit: A classic pairing that echoes the wine’s herbal and dark-fruited complexity.
• Grilled portobello mushrooms with farro and herbs: Highlights the wine’s earthy core and silky structure.
• Aged Comté or Pecorino Toscano: Hard cheeses that enhance the wine’s texture and length.

History of Ridge Vineyards

The history of Ridge Vineyards begins in 1885 when Osea Perrone, a doctor and prominent member of San Francisco's Italian community, purchased 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. He terraced the slopes and planted vineyards, constructing the Monte Bello Winery using native limestone and producing the first vintage under that name in 1892.

In the 1940s, theologian William Short bought the abandoned winery and vineyard, replanting several parcels to Cabernet Sauvignon. In the early 1960s, new owners Dave Bennion and his three partners, all Stanford Research Institute engineers, made a quarter-barrel of estate Cabernet from these vines. The quality and distinctive character of the wines produced convinced them to re-bond the winery in time for the 1962 vintage.

The first Zinfandel was made in 1964 from a small nineteenth-century vineyard farther down the ridge, followed in 1966 by the first Geyserville Zinfandel. The founding families expanded the Monte Bello terraces and increased vineyard size, working weekends to make wines of regional character and unprecedented intensity. In 1969, Paul Draper joined the partnership, bringing his practical winemaking skills and traditional knowledge to Ridge. Under his guidance, the winery's quality and international reputation were firmly established​​.

Region and Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards encompasses several notable vineyard sites, each contributing uniquely to the winery's portfolio:

• Monte Bello Vineyard: Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, this historic vineyard includes vines replanted in the 1940s and is known for its complex and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons. The Monte Bello estate is situated at an altitude of approximately 800 meters, where the cool climate and rocky limestone soils create ideal conditions for producing wines with exceptional structure and longevity. The vineyard’s steep slopes and diverse microclimates allow for meticulous site selection and blending, resulting in wines that reflect the nuanced character of the region.

  

• Geyserville Vineyard: Situated in Alexander Valley, this site has produced wines since 1966, celebrated for their distinctive blend of Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah. The Geyserville vineyard benefits from a warm climate and gravelly loam soils, which contribute to the robust fruit flavors and structured tannins of the wines. The old vines, some over 130 years old, are head-trained and dry-farmed, practices that promote deep root systems and concentrated fruit.

• Lytton Springs Vineyard: Acquired in 1991, this vineyard in Sonoma County produces exceptional Zinfandel-based wines from old vines dating back to 1902. Located in the Dry Creek Valley, the Lytton Springs vineyard features gravelly clay loam soils and a climate that balances warm days with cool nights, enhancing the aromatic complexity and balance of the wines. The vineyard is managed with sustainable practices, including organic farming and the use of cover crops to maintain soil health and biodiversity.

  

Organic and Sustainable Farming

Ridge Vineyards is deeply committed to organic and sustainable farming practices, ensuring that their vineyards not only produce high-quality grapes but also promote environmental health. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, with a strong commitment to organic certification. Ridge uses cover crops, integrated pest management, mechanical weed removal, and composted grape pomace instead of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers.

These practices help maintain soil health, promote biodiversity, and reduce the winery's environmental footprint. Ridge Vineyards was one of the first wineries in California to pursue organic certification, reflecting its leadership in sustainable viticulture. The winery also engages in minimal intervention winemaking, preserving the natural characteristics of the grapes and their terroir​​.

Wine Range

Ridge Vineyards produces a range of wines that reflect their commitment to terroir and traditional winemaking methods:

• Ridge Monte Bello: Their flagship wine, a Bordeaux-style blend known for its complexity and aging potential.
• Ridge Geyserville: A field blend predominantly featuring Zinfandel, offering rich fruit flavors and structured tannins.
• Ridge Lytton Springs: Another Zinfandel-based blend that highlights the unique characteristics of the vineyard's old vines.
• Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Produced from Monte Bello's more approachable parcels, showcasing the vineyard's character in a style that matures earlier than Monte Bello.
• Ridge Chardonnay: Produced in limited quantities, reflecting the winery's capability to craft white wines with finesse and depth.

Did you know?

Ridge Vineyards employs what they call "pre-industrial" winemaking techniques, a term they prefer over "natural winemaking." This approach involves minimal intervention, fermenting with native yeasts, avoiding commercial enzymes, and allowing malolactic fermentation to occur naturally. This method preserves the unique character of each vineyard, producing wines that are true expressions of their terroir​​.