Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 2021

Region and Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard is perched high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a unique appellation that stands apart from both the North Coast and Central Coast of California. Overlooking San Francisco Bay to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west, the vineyard benefits from a cool maritime influence, ensuring a long growing season and balanced ripening.

The site ranges in elevation from 400 to 840 meters, with soils composed of fractured limestone and decomposed Franciscan greenstone mixed with clay and loam. These well-draining, mineral-rich soils contribute to Monte Bello’s signature structure, freshness, and age-worthy character. Cabernet Sauvignon vines, originally planted in 1949, dominate the vineyard, with additional plantings of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, reinforcing complexity and depth. The 2021 vintage saw low rainfall (355 mm) and drought conditions, naturally reducing yields and intensifying the concentration of flavors in the fruit.

Winemaking

Grapes were hand-harvested and estate-grown, reflecting Ridge’s commitment to sustainable and minimal-intervention winemaking. After destemming, the fruit underwent 100% whole-berry fermentation with native yeasts, allowing for a pure expression of terroir. Full malolactic fermentation occurred naturally, contributing to the wine’s seamless texture and depth.

Aging took place over 19 months in 100% new oak, with 92% American oak and 8% French oak, lending subtle spice, structure, and integration. This careful élevage ensures Monte Bello retains its hallmark balance of power and finesse. Bottled in June 2023, the wine was produced with minimal sulfur and gentle filtration, adhering to Ridge’s philosophy of preserving the integrity of the vineyard in the bottle.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep, inky ruby with hints of garnet, reflecting its depth and intensity.
• Aroma: Expressive and layered, unveiling cassis, blackberry, and dark cherry, intertwined with graphite, crushed rock, cedar, and tobacco leaf, framed by refined oak spice.
• Palate: A commanding structure with dense black fruit, vibrant acidity, and firm, finely-grained tannins. Notes of plum, dark chocolate, anise, and cigar box emerge, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish. The depth and precision promise two to three decades of graceful evolution.

Did you know?

Monte Bello was first planted in 1886, but Prohibition led to its decline until Ridge Vineyards revived the estate in 1962 with its first Monte Bello vintage. The vineyard’s fractured limestone soils are geologically similar to Bordeaux’s Right Bank, influencing the wine’s signature minerality and age-worthiness. Unlike Napa’s warmer climate, Monte Bello benefits from a cooler, high-altitude environment, resulting in a more classically structured and restrained Cabernet Sauvignon, often drawing comparisons to top-tier Bordeaux crus.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Dry-aged ribeye with black truffle butter – The wine’s tannic structure and dark fruit intensity complement the richness and umami depth of the steak.
• Rack of lamb with rosemary and thyme – The herbaceous notes in the dish echo the wine’s subtle savory nuances, enhancing its complexity.
• Wild mushroom risotto with aged Parmesan – The wine’s acidity cuts through the creaminess, while its earthiness mirrors the depth of the mushrooms.
• Comté or aged Gouda cheese – The nutty, caramelized flavors of these cheeses provide a perfect counterpoint to Monte Bello’s structured fruit and minerality.

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​​.