Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2019

Region and Vineyards

The Monte Bello Vineyard is situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a stand-alone appellation that separates the North Coast from the Central Coast of California. The vineyard overlooks San Francisco, located 32 miles to the north, and the Pacific Ocean, 15 miles to the west. This unique location provides a distinctive microclimate that is ideal for growing high-quality grapes. The elevation ranges from 1300’ to 2760’, contributing to the vineyard's diverse terroir.

The soils of Monte Bello are characterized by fractured limestone overlaid with decomposing Franciscan green stone mixed with clay and loam. These soils, combined with the cool climate and abundant sunshine, create the perfect conditions for producing wines with great structure, depth, and aging potential.

The vineyard consists of various grape varieties planted over different periods: Cabernet Sauvignon (1949-1995, 66.4 acres), Merlot (1968-1997, 12.8 acres), Cabernet Franc (1969-2008, 3.2 acres), and Petit Verdot (1988 and 1990 at Torre vineyard, and 2008 at Rousten vineyard, 3.3 acres total). The vines are head-trained and cane-pruned, with vertical shoot positioning to maximize sunlight exposure and air circulation​​.

Winemaking

The Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, all organically grown. The vintage saw an abundant and excellent harvest, thanks to a warm summer and well-timed spring rains.

Winemaking at Ridge emphasizes minimal intervention. The grapes were destemmed and underwent 100% whole berry fermentation using native yeasts. Fermentation was carried out with reduced pump-overs to moderate tannin extraction, followed by pressing at nine days and natural malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for seventeen months in new air-dried oak barrels (95% American oak, 5% French oak), which enhances its complexity without overpowering the fruit. The final blend was selected by blind tasting from forty-one Monte Bello parcels, resulting in twenty-two lots that came together to make this superb vintage​​.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby red, indicating a wine of substantial concentration and potential for aging.
• Aroma: The nose is complex, offering aromas of blackberries, plums, and black currants, complemented by hints of graphite, cedar, and spice.
• Palate: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and elegant, with flavors of dark fruits, chocolate, and espresso, supported by fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity.
• Finish: The finish is long and layered, with a beautiful balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity, promising excellent aging potential over the next thirty years​​.

Did you know?

The Monte Bello vineyard was initially planted in 1886, with the first vintage produced in 1892. The vineyard faced challenges during Prohibition and was largely abandoned by the 1940s. However, in 1949, eight acres of Cabernet Sauvignon were replanted, marking the beginning of Ridge Vineyards' legacy. The first Ridge Monte Bello was produced in 1962, and since then, the vineyard has been gradually replanted, ensuring the continuation of its historic significance and exceptional quality​​.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Beef Wellington: The rich and savory flavors of beef Wellington complement the full-bodied structure and complex flavors of the Monte Bello 2019.
• Lamb Chops with Rosemary: The wine’s robust tannins and dark fruit profile enhance the herbaceous and savory notes of rosemary-seasoned lamb chops.
• Roasted Duck with Cherry Sauce: The Monte Bello’s rich fruit and elegant tannins enhance the flavors of roasted duck with a sweet and tangy cherry sauce.
• Grilled Portobello Mushrooms: The wine’s complex profile and earthy notes are a perfect match for the savory, umami flavors of grilled portobello mushrooms.

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​​.