Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2023

Region and Vineyards

Geyserville comes from Alexander Valley, in Sonoma County, where warm days are moderated by evening breezes and occasional morning fog. The vineyard lies on the western edge of the valley, south of the town of Geyserville, a location especially well suited to Zinfandel and its complementary field-blend varieties. Ridge describes the site as deep gravelly loam mixed with larger river stones, deposited by an ancient river course, a soil profile that supports drainage while retaining enough warmth for full ripening.

The 2023 vintage was shaped by above-average winter rainfall and a consistently cool growing season. Bloom came at the end of June, and harvest was delayed, running from 7 to 24 October according to the uploaded technical sheet. This long ripening window helped preserve acidity while building dark fruit concentration, giving the wine its combination of supple tannins, depth and freshness.

Winemaking

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2023 is a traditional field blend composed of 70% Zinfandel, 18% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah and 3% Alicante Bouschet. The grapes were hand-harvested at an average of 24.8˚ Brix, then destemmed and crushed. Fermentation took place as a full-crush fermentation with 100% floating cap management, using natural primary fermentation and naturally occurring malolactic fermentation, with daily pump-overs.

The wine was aged for 16 months in 100% air-dried American oak barrels, of which 15% were new. The remaining barrels were one to four years old, allowing oak to frame rather than dominate the wine. Ridge's minimal-intervention approach is evident in the use of native yeasts, naturally occurring bacteria for malolactic conversion, limited sulfur additions and pad filtration at bottling. Alcohol is 14.6%, giving richness without obscuring the wine's signature acidity and savory lift.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby to dark garnet, with a dense core and youthful purple reflections.
• Aroma: Black cherry, blackberry, raspberry compote and plum are layered with chaparral, black olive, cracked pepper, licorice, cedar, baking spice and a subtle note of cocoa from American oak.
• Palate: Full-bodied and energetic, with concentrated dark fruit, vibrant acidity and supple yet firm tannins. Carignane brings lift and freshness, Petite Sirah adds depth and grip, while Zinfandel gives ripe bramble fruit and generous spice. The finish is long, savory and gently mineral.

Did you know?

Geyserville is Ridge's longest continuous Zinfandel production, first made in 1966. The vineyard includes some of the oldest vines farmed by Ridge, with the "Old Patch" section containing vines more than 130 years old, a rare source of natural concentration and complexity in California wine.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Moroccan spiced lamb shoulder: The wine's dark fruit and peppery spice echo cumin, coriander and paprika, while its acidity balances the richness of slow-cooked lamb.
• Grilled ribeye with black olive tapenade: The savory olive note in the wine meets the tapenade beautifully, and the tannins are softened by the steak's fat.
• Mushroom and herb risotto: Earthy mushrooms and thyme highlight the wine's turned-earth, cedar and chaparral tones without overwhelming its fruit.
• Barbecued pork ribs: Zinfandel's ripe berry character works well with smoky, lightly sweet barbecue glaze, while Carignane keeps the pairing fresh.

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​​.