1978 Shenandoah Zinfandel

The warm fall weather ripened these old vines far beyond full maturity. The majority fermented out to dryness, but those picked last retained some residual sweetness and produced this appealing wine. Although it should develop complexity with bottle age, it will be quite enjoyable as a young, fruity wine. PD (12/79)

Ridge wine is made with an emphasis on quality and naturalness that is rarely attempted. Our grapes are grown in select vineyards (usually identified on the label), where they are left to ripen to peak maturity, often at some loss of quantity. We let the wine settle and age in small barrels, with only rare cellar treatment other than racking. Varieties are not blended unless so indicated on label. Near Black Mountain on Monte Bello Ridge, our main vineyard is 10 miles south of Palo Alto, 15 miles inland from the ocean, and over 2000 feet in elevation.