Our Return to Stone Ranch
Blog Post
Two decades have passed since we last produced several exceptional vintages from Stone Ranch. We are extremely excited to announce our return to the vineyard with our new 2021 Stone Ranch Zinfandel bottling. Nestled across 87 acres at the western fringes of Alexander Valley, Stone Ranch is a close neighbor of our Geyserville Vineyard with similar soils and climate.
Vineyard Characteristics
Beginning 1.4 miles west of the Russian River, Stone Ranch is situated on the inclines and foothills of the western side of Alexander Valley, half way between the towns of Geyserville and Healdsburg.
The ranch was originally planted with prunes and pears and was slowly replaced with grapevines through the years. Blocks of zinfandel were planted in the mid-1960s and 1988, located on deep valley floor soils. The terroir of Stone Ranch is defined by its gravelly loam soils adorned with abundant river rock from the nearby Russian River, meticulously tended to by the Furlong family, the dedicated stewards of this vineyard.
Sustainably Farmed, Historic Zinfandel Vineyard
In the mid-1950s, Everett Lampson acquired Stone Ranch from George Stone, transforming the landscape from prunes and pears to a thriving vineyard. Jim Furlong, married to Everett’s granddaughter, next assumed the reins of the estate. The Furlongs have cultivated and nurtured this land for many years. Today, the legacy continues as Jim entrusts the day-to-day oversight of the farming to his son Andrew.
Under Andrew’s leadership, Stone Ranch has embraced a progressive shift towards sustainable farming, exemplifying the meticulous care and dedication to quality that RIDGE values in all its growers. As a Certified Sustainable Winegrower, Andrew’s commitment to sustainable practices not only ensures the longevity of the vineyard but also underscores our collective pursuit of quality. With our new vintage, we invite you to experience the culmination of tradition, innovation, and viticultural heritage.
The First RIDGE Stone Ranch Zinfandel
RIDGE produced our first Stone Ranch Zinfandel in 2002, as Paul Draper recognized the vineyard as a place with significant terroir. Read his impressions below.
2002 Zinfandel, Stone Ranch, bottled Feb 2004
“To ensure full flavor in this first Stone Ranch vintage, we delayed harvest until the last days of September. The vineyard lies on the low hills along the western edge of Alexander Valley; lines of large round river rocks, tilled over years from the gravelly soils, mark the boundaries of the property. Extraction of color and tannin was initially slow, so we extended maceration to two weeks, pumping over daily. After fermenting on its natural yeasts and completing a natural malolactic, the wine was racked to air-dried American oak barrels, of which only a small percentage were new. Serious structure and straightforward cherry fruit make this zinfandel a good choice to accompany rich food. It will soften with a year or two of bottle age, and develop completely over the next five years.” –Paul Draper (12/03)
Our Newest Release from Stone Ranch
96% Zinfandel, 2% Carignane, 2% Petite Sirah
“In blind tasting, the 2021 zinfandel from this vineyard stuck out as notably different than its peers. There was beautiful, bright acidity and depth of fruit that created this layered juxtaposition of elegance and power. This guided the decision to bottle this wine on its own.” –Shauna Rosenblum, Lytton Springs Winemaker
Our latest vintage of Stone Ranch Zinfandel is being released exclusively to members of our ATP wine club in the spring of 2024. The focus of our Advance Tasting Program (ATP) program over the years has been on small-lot Rhône-style wines and single-vineyard zinfandels. Become a member and be among the first to try it!
Related Content
Wait!
In order to qualify for user related discounts, you must log in before proceeding with checkout. Click the button below to log in and receive these benefits, or close the window to continue.
Log In