United States · California

Ridge

Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 by a group of Stanford Research Institute scientists on the Monte Bello Ridge above Cupertino in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with Paul Draper arriving as winemaker in 1969 and guiding production for nearly five decades. Ridge's philosophy of minimal intervention — native yeast fermentation, restrained oak, minimal sulfur additions — and meticulous vineyard management produced wines that defied California's reputation for heavy, overripe styles. The Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon achieved international recognition when the 1971 vintage placed fifth in the famous 1976 Paris Tasting against First Growth Bordeaux, then rose to first place when the same tasting was repeated in 2006. Auction data reinforces Monte Bello's status: 662 lots at $470 average with the 2001 vintage drawing most activity and peak prices reaching $22,140 for historical large-format bottles. Ridge also produces the Geyserville Zinfandel blend ($159/232 lots) from Sonoma's Alexander Valley, Lytton Springs Zinfandel ($74/100 lots), and the Monte Bello Chardonnay ($207/246 lots) from the high-elevation estate vineyard. The portfolio average of $278 across 2,316 lots reflects a range from approachable Zinfandel to collectible Monte Bello. Draper retired in 2016; current winemaker John Olney has maintained stylistic continuity. Ridge is majority owned by Otsuka Pharmaceutical of Japan following a 1986 purchase, though the winemaking team operates independently within that structure.