Three Valleys: A Winemaker’s Perspective
Blog Post
February 2023
The history of Three Valleys
For the past 20 years, Ridge has produced Three Valleys. Prior to the 2001 vintage, the wine was produced and bottled as Ridge Sonoma Zinfandel, Coast Range, and Sonoma Station. Three Valleys is a zinfandel based blend that contains fruit from a number of Sonoma County vineyards and is also the only “multi-vineyard” wine that Ridge produces. Considering its long history, we decided to ask the winemakers their perspective on Three Valleys.
What makes Three Valleys special?
“As a multi-vineyard wine, the winemaker is free to blend different vineyards in varying quantities to make the best wine. This powerful tool is unavailable in single vineyard winemaking in which the winemaker relies much more heavily on the inherent nature of the vineyard, the quality of the farming, and the timing of picking.”
-John Olney, Head Winemaker
“Three Valleys showcases the beautiful bounty of Sonoma County fruit, which can be quite varied. We see bright acidity and verve from sites located in Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley. We see structure, dark fruit and minerality from vineyards in the Rockpile appellation. Generous, sumptuous, red, black and blue fruit notes from the vineyards in Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley.
“When combined into one wine, the aromatics and fruit profiles become complex, layered and quite interesting.”
-Shauna Rosenblum, Winemaker, Lytton Springs
2020 Three Valleys
93 Points + Editors’ Choice from Wine Enthusiast
Our 20th vintage producing Three Valleys has produced a perfect example of how the variety of fruit from Sonoma County and skilled blending can create a truly great and balanced wine. The 2020 Three Valleys was recently acknowledged as an Editors’ Choice by Wine Enthusiast:
“This focused, firm and tannic wine exudes black pepper and wood-smoke aromas followed by rather tight espresso, blueberry and cacao flavors. Made from 74% Zinfandel and other California heritage-grape varieties, it has the bones of a cool-climate wine and should improve through at least 2028.” 93 points
Jim Gordon
Don’t miss your chance to purchase this wine today!