Wine in Santa Cruz Mountains

In 1886 the first blocks of the Monte Bello vineyard were planted and construction on the winery begun. The first vintage was the 1892. In the early 1940s, the last of the old vineyard was abandoned; in the late forties a few blocks were replanted. Those cabernet vines—now over sixty-five years old—produced the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962) and subsequent vintages until 1974. By then other abandoned blocks had been replanted and their fruit considered for use in the Monte Bello. A number of those consistently produced a more accessible wine that developed its full complexity earlier and these were combined as the “Santa Cruz Mountains.” With the 2008 vintage the name of this stylistically distinct wine became the Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, stressing the principal varietal and the Monte Bello estate vineyard as its source.

Discover Domaine Eden Chardonnay Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

Incredibly great price for such a delicious, full-bodied red! Smoky with toasty oak, mocha and fleshy black plum aromas. Smooth on the palate.

Discover Domaine Eden Cabernet Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

The Storrs Chardonnay is rich, ripe and round; creamy in the flavors; layered aftertaste

Ridge first made merlot in 1974 from the Point, the highest, most exposed block on the Monte Bello vineyard at an elevation of 2600’. Originally, we wanted to see if the varietal could match the quality of, and be included in, the Monte Bello. Once satisfied that it could, we planted more merlot over the years as space and resources allowed. From 1975 on, it has been a part of the Monte Bello whenever assemblage tastings so indicated. As the younger plantings matured, it became apparent that not only did merlot complement the Monte Bello, but also had the structure and complexity to merit a separate bottling.

In 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the first Monte Bello vineyards were planted, and winery construction begun. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30’s, but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962) and subsequent vintages until 1974 when younger blocks replanted in the 1960’s were considered for inclusion. Since then, the historic vineyards on the ridge have gradually been replanted.

The wines produced at Horseshoe are uniquely minerally, precise and focused. They offer an almost palpable tension that greatly rewards aging. Planted in 2004 with a total of 17.5 acres, Horseshoe Ranch is our most beautiful vineyard site. It is less than 1/2 mile from Alpine vineyard, but they are different in many ways. The ridge between the vineyards protects Horseshoe from some of the direct ocean influence but allows for similarly cool temperatures. More importantly, Horseshoe lies on a ridge of sedimentary shale called Monterey formation that has made its way to surface over the millenia. This lightweight, brittle rust-mottled shale is prevalent throughout the surface and soil providing for low vigor and outstanding drainage. Fermented in 20% new oak for about a year until dry, no racking or battonage. Aged in tank for an additional 4-6 months before bottling

This Santa Cruz Mountains Merlot has a dark garnet color. The nose is layered with aromas of dark fruit, smoked meat, and toasted oak. Plum jam, blueberries, blackberry pie and violet aromas blend nicely with hints of cedar, vanilla bean, black pepper and wet granite. Flavors are bright with berries, baking spices, dark chocolate and cola. This wine is full-bodied with a hint of sweet oak on the finish

Discover Ceritas Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

Discover Mount Eden Edna Valley Chardonnay Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

Discover Mount Eden Pinot Noir Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

Discover Martin Ray Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

This Pinot Noir is a mosaic of different selections and clones grown at Domaine Eden: Dijon clones 777, 667 and 828 reside alongside the historic California selections Mount Eden, Calera and Swan. Each parcel is farmed to Mount Eden’s strict standards of sustainability, dry farming and low yields.

The heritage of Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon dates back to the 1890s, when the famed viticulturist Emmett Rixford of Woodside, California, obtained selected cuttings from Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux, France. Rixford planted his famous La Questa Vineyard with these selections, in the same proportions as found at Margaux. In the late 1940s Martin Ray planted his first Cabernet vineyard with cuttings from the La Questa Vineyard. The present-day Estate Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in the early 1980s using cuttings taken from these vines. Yields are low, typically one to two tons per acre. Soils are very thin (1-12 inches), with a dominant base of Franciscan shale. The climate is cool, especially for Cabernet, and influenced by the vineyard’s altitude and its proximity to San Francisco bay and the Pacific Ocean. The vines are trellised in a modern fashion, which allows for a more uniform ripening. The vineyard also contains small blocks of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

The 2014 Pinot Noir Hidden Block is the most immediate and dense of the four Pinots in the Varner range. A core of sweet red cherry and plum fruit fills out the wine's mid-weight frame effortlessly. Round, pliant and totally seductive, the 2014 has a lot to offer, including tons of near and medium-term appeal.

Discover Kathryn Kennedy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

The Pinot Noir grape varietal inspires unique interest among wine enthusiasts worldwide. The challenge and potential of cultivating pinot noir in our unique Spring Ridge micro-climate, at the northernmost edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation, was exciting, and in 1997 we planted our first 3 acre pinot block, Hidden.

Discover Old School Cabernet Beer. Is a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage. You can learn more about this beer and its availability here.

100% estate grown, single vineyard Pinot Noir from our 8.7 acre home vineyard, 8 miles from the Pacific in the Santa Cruz Mountains. To preserve the beauty and nuance of this ocean-influenced, cool climate mountain vineyard, our Pinot Noir is made in small lots by non-interventionist methods – hand sorting, native yeast fermentation, hand punch downs. Aged for 11 months in ¼ new, ¾ neutral French oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Beautiful drinkability now, with exciting cellaring potential. 13.9% Alcohol. 640 cases produced. “A lovely wine, the 2016 Pinot Noir from Mindego Ridge reveals a pure bouquet of black raspberries, plums, cherries and dried flowers. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and supple, with an ample core of fruit, velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. This will be a delight to follow for the better part of a decade.” 94 Points. -William Kelley, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, May 2018