The Seven Wonders of Wine World: Iconic Bottles That Define Modern Wine Culture
VinePair
October 2025
A recent VinePair article asked five wine experts to select their seven wonders of the wine world from a range of countries, regions, and styles, while avoiding the absolute highest end of wine. The list is aspirational yet within reach so people could buy or at least taste the wines without breaking the bank. We are delighted that two iconic RIDGE wines were selected.
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains
“Monte Bello has always been California’s intellectual Cabernet. Grown in the limestone soils of the Santa Cruz Mountains, it is structured in a way that feels more European than Napa. The 1971 vintage is the famous one because in the Judgment of Paris retasting it actually beat out Bordeaux first growths. That is when it cemented its spot as one of America’s greats and Paul Draper as an American winemaking icon.” — Amy Racine, Beverage Director, JF Restaurants
Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs, Sonoma County
“This is California: big sun, dry hills, jammy fruit, wild diversity — and yet, something sharper running through it. Ridge’s Lytton Springs blend (mostly Zinfandel) captures the ripe, generous spirit of Dry Creek Valley with structure, spice, and lift. Juicy and fat, like a NorCal heirloom tomato, but also earthy and dark.” — Jordan Mackay, Author, ‘The Sommelier’s Atlas of Taste’
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