Ridge Vineyards traces its roots back to 1885, when Osea Perrone purchased land atop Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. By 1892, he had planted vineyards and built a redwood and limestone winery, producing the first Monte Bello vintage. That historic building still serves as Ridge’s production facility today. In 1962, Ridge released its first Monte Bello under the modern label, followed soon after by its first Zinfandel.
Ridge’s philosophy is simple yet meticulous: select the most flavorful grapes, guide the natural process, and let the fruit’s richness shine. Every decision—from harvest to bottling—is driven by taste, with winemakers handling grapes as gently as possible to preserve complexity. Committed to sustainability, Ridge joined International Wineries for Climate Action in 2021 and has pledged to reach Net Zero by 2050, conducting biannual greenhouse gas audits verified by third-party accreditation.
dark chocolate.
Blend: 67% Zinfandel, 1Complex nose of boysenberry, cigar box, anise and sage. Full-bodied with well-coated tannins and balanced acidity. Notes of plum, blackberry, mineral, pepper and 9% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane, 3% Alicante Bouschet
97 Wilford Wong of Wine.com When I tasted the 1973 Lytton Springs Zinfandel upon its release in the early 1970s, I fell head over heels for wines made from these vineyards. The 2022 has re-kindled that feeling. This is the second time I tasted this vintage (the first time was a few weeks ago at the vineyard site with the Ridge crew and colleagues in the business. All I can say is, "Wow!" This wine excels with aromas and flavors of beautiful mixed spices, dried flowers, and a bounty of berries. Serve this with a slow-cooked lamb stew, and see for yourself. (Tasted: September 22, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
96 Wine Enthusiast The densely packed nose of this legendary old vine field blend of Zin, Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Alicante gives aromas of crushed blackberry, purple flowers and rich earthy spices, while the palate brings black cherry, olive and licorice flavors in a framework of opulent tannin that will age effortlessly for more than a decade. Cellar Selection
95 James Suckling This is the kingpin of Ridge’s Sonoma County heritage blends and it doesn’t disappoint. Equal parts fruity, spicy and savory on a full body braced by moderate tannins. Judicious oak spices like cedar and cigar box complement pure, ripe blackberries and raspberries and a dash of black pepper. Known to age well for decades.
95 Decanter This bottling marks the 50th Lytton Springs from Ridge, and appropriately, the wine is beguiling and intense—pure Americana and emblematic of Ridge's commitment to the heritage varieties and vines in California. Lytton Springs is home to 100-plus-year-old Zinfandel vines interplanted with Petite Sirah and Carignane, among a few other varieties. This bottling has become a standard bearer for the notion of California Zinfandel: smoky clove spices, toasted cinnamon sticks, bramble fruits and spicy black plums. The palate shows intense concentration, red and black plums, black pepper, muddled mint leaves and an undertone of dried anise and thyme. Delicious and built to age.
95 Wine Spectator Like a beast that's been tamed, this red is genteel and polished on the outside but dark and fervent deep down, with expressive flavors of blackberry, briar patch, savory anise and pepper. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet.
94 Vinous The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is a characterful edition of this classic cuvée, notable for its élevage in only American oak. Exuberant cherry/berry fruit and licorice meet with grilled herbs, tanned leather, vanilla and dill, all energized by juicy acidity. This is a large-scale wine that will certainly stand the test of time. The clarity and precision here are commendable, especially packaged in such a broad-shouldered frame. Fabulous.
94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar.
