Ridge's Vineyards

• Monte Bello
• Lytton Springs
• Geyserville
• Pagani Ranch
• Paso Robles
• York Creek
• Santa Cruz Mountains

Monte Bello

Video

View a video description of the Monte Bello Vineyard. Requires Quicktime and at least a 56K connection. ( Japanese | German )

Vineyard

First RIDGE Monte Bello: 1962
Location: Monte Bello Ridge, in northern California's Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking the San Francisco peninsula.
Elevation: 1300' - 2660'
Soils: Decomposing Franciscan rock mixed with clay, laid over fractured limestone.
Vines: 10- to 52-year-old cabernet sauvignon, 66.4 acres. 6- to 33-year-old merlot, 12.8 acres. 10- to 13-year-old petit verdot, 2.2 acres. 31-year-old cabernet franc, 1.3 acres.
Training: Head-trained. Cane pruned (on trellis).
Irrigation: Non-irrigated. (Exception: new vines receive drip irrigation until established.)
Climate: Cool, mountainous — between the Mediterranean and Maritime Zones.
Exposure: Principally south/southeast

History

The Monte Bello estate vineyard was planted, and the winery constructed, in 1886. A first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; by the 1940s it was effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962). Since then, the original vineyards have gradually been replanted.

See available wines | Visiting Monte Bello