Founded on the historic Monte Bello Ridge in Sonoma County, Ridge Vineyards is widely regarded as one of the world’s great wineries. Its story begins in 1885 when Italian-American doctor Osea Perrone purchased 180 acres high on the ridge, terraced the slopes, and built the limestone Monte Bello Winery, producing the first Monte Bello vintage in 1892. The estate was later revived in the 1940s by theologian William Short, who replanted Cabernet Sauvignon, vines that would later produce one of California’s most celebrated wines when a group of Stanford Research Institute engineers, led by Dave Bennion, rebonded the winery for the 1962 vintage. Their work laid the foundation for Ridge’s distinctive style, further refined when winemaker Paul Draper joined in 1969, helping establish the winery’s international reputation through a traditional, minimal-intervention approach to winemaking. Today, Ridge remains best known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, alongside small amounts of varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, Mataro, Carignane, Petite Sirah and limited Chardonnay. With a long history of critical acclaim and a reputation for authenticity and quality, Ridge wines are highly sought after.
