Single Vineyards and Sustainable Practices Lead Ridge Vineyards

Ridge Vineyards is one of the Sonoma leaders in protecting and enhancing the environment. They have managed to keep these practices growing while making fine estate and single vineyard wines for over a century.

It all began back in 1885, when Dr. Osea Perrone picked up 180 acres of vineyards in Cupertino. It would remain in the Perrone family until the 1940s, when a partnership of research engineers in Stanford bought the property. Their cabernet became a huge success and they purchased additional land into Sonoma County, and made what would become the very first zinfandel made in the Sonoma town of Geyserville. The Lytton Springs vineyards would then join the production of rich reds and a bit of chardonnay.

Ridge Vineyards, which also still has a tasting room at the original location in Cupertino, California, has their main winery in Lytton Springs. This ultra-green Dry Creek Valley facility is built from vineyard clay and straw bales, using solar power and other sustainable practices

Since winemaking is a shared affair at Ridge Vineyards between CEO Paul Draper, Vice President Eric Baugher and Vice President John Olney (a third VP, David Gates, is in charge of vineyard operations), it makes sense that blending is a popular practice here. To honor the skill, Draper was given The James Beard Award for Winemaking in 2007.

Tasting room

On a visit to Ridge Vineyards, make sure that you get a chance to taste plenty of their famous zinfandel. Since it is estate and single vineyards, you will notice distinct differences in each. The 2009 Paso Robles is a fruity mix of 95% zin with just a little petite syrah. A real treat is also the 2007 Lytton Springs Estate, which is a blend of 71% zinfandel, 22% petite syrah and 7% carignane, a Rhone varietal.

For a real in-depth look at the history, vines and environmental practices of Ridge Vineyards, ask the Inspirato Concierge to arrange a personalized Estate Tour and Tasting.

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• Single Vineyards and Sustainable Practices Lead Ridge Vineyards