RIDGE 2025 Coast Range Wine Spectator’s Value Pick of the Week

Press

September 2026

Our 2025 Coast Range recently achieved Wine Spectator’s Insider Weekly’s nomination of “Value Pick of the Week.” Tim Fish calls it “a bold, brambly 91-point California Zinfandel that defines high-value drinking at just $20.

Coast Range History

Near-perfect weather in spring 2025 enabled the vines to set a full crop. Yields were the highest in at least thirty years. When possible, we make a wine simply designated simply “Coast Range.” The majority of the fruit comes from Sonoma County, but fruit from Contra Costa, Santa Cruz and Napa are also included this year. In the 2025 Coast Range, the cabernet is from Fredson Ranch in Alexander valley. All lots were harvested as they ripened, from mid-August through early October. Fermentation began, on average, two days after crush. We gave twice daily pump-overs helped to accentuate fruit. Both primary and secondary (malolactic) fermentations were entirely natural. Ten percent of the american oak barrels used in aging were new, showcasing the fruit components of the wine. The creation of a blended wine such as the Coast Range calls on all the vintner’s skills as winemaker. Both technical and tasting ability are required. The components must be balanced and adjusted to create not only the quality, but the character of the wine. This method—used widely in California, Australia, and elsewhere—has produced many renowned wines. As with all Ridge bottlings, no portion is purchased wine; fermentation and aging are done entirely by us. In keeping with our belief that providing background information on the wine—be it vineyard location, vintage conditions, or varietal breakdown—is useful, we identify the winemaking approach as well.