Ridge Winery – Lytton Springs
TL:DR Organic, low-intervention wines. Excellent quality Zinfandels and blends. Great tasting room and large patio with an amazing panoramic view of vineyards. Relaxing with friendly staff and great wine to try.
Before I came back to California I always thought of myself as predominantly a Cabernet lover but that’s changed as I explore more and different types of great quality wines. Now it’s not like Zinfandel is a particularly unique wine but I’ve realized that for me a great Zinfandel is a thing of beauty. Ridge winery not only has excellent Zinfandels but Rhones, Cabernet and even Chardonnay.
Ridge started in 1962 and has two tasting rooms–one in Dry Creek Valley/Healdsburg and one in the Santa Cruz Mountains/Cupertino. I visited the Lytton Springs tasting room. It has a simple, rustic indoor room as well as a large patio both of which look out over a lovely expanse of vineyards. I’ve been there gray winter days and blue sky summer days both are equally beautiful and relaxing.
Ridge’s vineyard is certified organic and they make low-intervention wines as well. Their hospitality team couldn’t have been nicer and instantly made me feel at home. I tried several different wines and below is some info about a couple of them.
I loved my experience at Ridge and would add this to anyone’s list for wine tasting in person or buying their wine. A great bonus is they have a fantastic website with a lot of information about each wine if you want to nerd out and learn more.
ridgewine.com
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2021 Mancini Ranch
73% Carignane, 27% Zinfandel
(If you aren’t familiar with Carignane (Carignano) it is typically fruit-forward with a medium body, high tannins and equally high acidity.)
On the nose: (when you smell the wine before tasting it) for me it was like smelling fresh black cherries with some baking spices and a whole lot more.
On the palate: (what’s it like when you drink it) medium-bodied, fruit forward (the fruit flavor really comes through) with mouthwatering acidity. Fresh and lively.
Vineyard: Mancini Ranch in Russian River Valley.
Remember what I perceive on the nose and the mouthfeel will be different than anyone else because our palettes are different. You also don’t have to “evaluate” or “figure out” wine, you can just enjoy it!
2021 Ponzo Zinfandel
95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah
On the nose: (when you smell the wine before tasting it) baking spices, the air after it rains, dried fruit
On the palate: (what’s it like when you drink it) medium-bodied, raspberry, rose petals, very balanced
Vineyard: Ponzo in the Russian River Valley.