Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2021

Region and Vineyards

The Ridge Vineyards Geyserville is sourced from the Geyserville Vineyard, located on the western edge of Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. The vineyard is renowned for its gravelly loam soils, which contribute to the wine's complexity and depth. This site has a rich history, with the oldest vines dating back over 125 years, and sixty percent of the vines are over 50 years old. The vineyard's unique terroir is enhanced by its head-trained, spur-pruned vines, which yield about 1.8 tons per acre.

Alexander Valley's climate, with its dry winters and moderate springs and summers, creates ideal conditions for ripening grapes evenly. This microclimate, combined with the vineyard's historic vines and unique soil composition, imparts a distinctive character to the Geyserville​​.

Winemaking

The Ridge Vineyards Geyserville is a blend of 76% Zinfandel, 16% Carignane, 6% Petite Sirah, 1% Alicante Bouschet, and 1% Mataro. The winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention, using natural primary and secondary (malolactic) fermentations with daily pump-overs.

The wine was aged for 16 months in American oak barrels (68% Appalachian, 20% Kentucky, and 12% Ozark), with 30% new oak, 22% one-year-old, 25% two-year-old, and 23% three-year-old and older barrels. This careful oak regimen enhances the wine's complexity and structure without overpowering its fruit characteristics​​.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby red, reflecting the wine's concentration.
• Aroma: The nose reveals abundant fruit aromas, including blackberries, plums, and hints of spice and earth.
• Palate: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and balanced, showcasing flavors of dark berries, black cherry, and pepper, with elegant tannins and bright acidity.
• Finish: The finish is long and layered, with a refined balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity, promising excellent aging potential.

Did you know?

This Geyserville continues a legacy that began in 1966, making it Ridge Vineyards' longest continuous Zinfandel production. This wine consistently reflects the unique vineyard character and the meticulous care taken in its production, from organic farming practices to minimal intervention in winemaking​​.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Coq au Vin: The wine’s rich fruit and spice notes complement the savory and aromatic flavors of this classic French dish.
• Boeuf Bourguignon: The robust structure and elegant tannins of the Geyserville 2021 enhance the deep, slow-cooked flavors of this traditional beef stew.
• Grilled Sausages with Peppers: The wine’s acidity and fruit profile balance the rich, savory, and slightly spicy flavors of grilled sausages and peppers.
• Mature Cheddar Cheese: The bold flavors and fine tannins of the wine pair well with the sharp, creamy texture of mature cheddar cheese.

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​​.