2021 Three Valleys

Nose of toasty oak, strawberry jam, mixed berry pie, black tea and baking spice. Layered black and blue fruit on the palate with milk chocolate, cherry, garrigue and textured tannins on the finish. SR (1/23)

Since its inception, Ridge has focused on single vineyard wines. Three Valleys is our winemakers wine, made by carefully combining parcels from a number of different vineyards. After aging for twelve months in barrel, the tannins have softened and brought out the fruit. Enjoyable now, this excellent wine will continue to develop over the next five years. SR (1/23)

The history of the Ridge Three Valleys began with the release of the 2001. The wine contains grapes from a number of Sonoma vineyards—this year, ten. We take great care in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested then crushed and fermented on its native yeast and naturally occurring malolactic bacteria at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs wineries. Unlike our single-vineyard wines, which reflect the distinctive character of each site, Three Valleys represents the blending of vineyards—winemaking at its finest. Zinfandel determines the wine’s varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah spice, depth of color, and firm tannins.

Rainfall: 12.3 inches (below normal)
Bloom: Early May
Weather: A dry winter and spring stressed the vines, limiting yields and concentrating flavors.

Harvest Dates: 21 August – 16 October
Grapes: Average Brix 25.2˚
TA: 7.35 g/L
pH: 3.77
Fermentation: No inoculation; natural primary and secondary.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (10% new, 50% four years old, and 40% five+ years old).
Aging: Twelve months in barrel

Hand-harvested grapes, destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts followed by a full malolactic on the natural-occurring bacteria; tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35ppm at crush, 112 ppm over the course of aging); membrane sterile filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

Wine & Spirits: 93 Points “Drawing on fruit from ten Sonoma County vineyards, in 2021 Three Valleys presents a cornucopia of fruit in a classical blend that feels like an exuberant family relation to Geyserville. It’s ripe, and rich in structure under all that fruit energy—black mineral tannins in the service of the fruit combining in dark chocolate and mushroom notes. All of it needs time to integrate, but, even now, the tannins keep opening like a door to the land.” -J.G. (March 2024)

Wine Spectator: 92 Points “A broad-shouldered red, with a potent structure but expressive blackberry, savory dill and white pepper flavors that speed toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Peite Sirah, Syrah, and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2033.” -T.F. (February 2024)

See all food pairing recipes we have created specifically for this wine.