From our vineyards and wines to our people, Ridge has always strived for excellence and is honored to be recognized by our industry’s top critics and peers.
With 22 awards, Ridge is among the top 5 wineries to earn the most Top 100 awards since the buying guide began in 1988.
The long road toward establishing Ridge’s credentials in all of the great wine capitals of the world began in 1973 with our first export shipment to the UK. Today Ridge is found in more than 50 countries around the globe, and on the wine lists of the world’s best restaurants. The acknowledgment of these decades of work was reaffirmed when Ridge Vineyards was named the 27th most admired wine brand in the world by Drinks International.
The Golden Vines aims to become the definitive international award recognizing and celebrating excellence in the fine wine industry. Ridge Vineyards was awarded ‘Best Fine Wine Producer in the Americas’ at the Inaugural Golden Vines Awards in 2021.
“Ridge Monte Bello is considered by many to be among the best wines in the world, and certainly among the most, if not the most famous, from California. Through its Monte Bello Cabernet-based bottling, Ridge helped show that California wine could compete with the most respected wines in the world. At the same time, no other winery in California has done so much to elevate Zinfandel from its early reputation as jug wine to fine wine respectability.”
Ridge, a member of the Wine & Spirit’s Hall of Fame, became a 19-time Award Winner of the ‘Top 100 Wineries of the Year.’
“While other wineries’ fortunes have risen and fallen, Ridge Vineyards’ Monte Bello has maintained a record of consistent brilliance unrivaled in California ever since that inaugural vintage. Indeed, this cuvée has won wide recognition as an American first growth, its dependable longevity and classical balance earning it the esteem of domestic and international collectors alike.”
The 2014 East Bench Zinfandel was selected to be served at the last State Dinner of the Obama administration for the Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi.
“…47 vintages later, Draper can reflect on an amazing career. Not only elevating Ridge to international acclaim, he took Zinfandel, an underappreciated blending grape, to an elite level as well, rescuing the variety from insignificance by demonstrating its full potential.”
“If the United States had a formal classification of estates, Ridge would be the equivalent of a First Growth.”
“The winery’s zinfandels are legendary, its cabernet sauvignons highly praised, its chardonnays, merlots, petite sirahs, and Rhône-style blends are top-of-the-line. No wine producer is perfect, 100 percent on all the time — but Ridge comes very close, and we feel confident in naming it the best winery in America for the second time.”
“But quite simply: The depth of Draper’s contribution to the current extraordinary state of American wine is simply beyond expression.”
“The remarkable consistency and beauty of these wines make Monte Bello America’s greatest cabernet sauvignon, in my judgment as The Times’s wine critic.”
“Ridge remains one of the finest operations I visit anywhere in the world. The total commitment to quality, value and customer service simply has no equal in this country.”
What would you drink with your last meal? “Ridge Lytton Springs zinfandel.”
The 2008 Geyserville was served with a dinner prepared by Chef Bobby Flay at a summit held by President Obama for President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China in June of 2013.
Paul Draper named Winemakers’ Winemaker by the Institute of Masters of Wine
“When we opened the first day, we had two wines on the list… Mondavi and Ridge’s Geyserville.”
On May 24, 2006, a 30-year re-enactment of the Judgment of Paris was organized by Steven Spurrier – this time with simultaneous tastings in London and in Napa, at Copia. The winning wine in both the US and the UK was the 1971 Monte Bello, besting top wines from Bordeaux and Napa.
Paul Draper named Winemaker of the Year.
“Monte Bello, and the rest of the Ridge wines, are proof that Draper’s relentless desire to improve has earned him a rightful place in the annals of American wine.”
Paul Draper named Winemaker of the Year.
“Few wineries can rival Ridge’s record of successes, and few wines are more consistently great than this one.” – on the 1997 Geyserville
“Paul Draper helped lead Californians to the concept of the single-vineyard wine, choosing the underdog Zinfandel grape as his first vehicle of expression. Draper’s wines at Ridge Vineyards are robust, yet refined and graceful.”
Paul Draper named “Man of the Year.“
“Paul Draper is only the third Californian to receive the Decanter Man of the Year accolade…”