Ridge Vineyards, Wine estate in Santa Cruz Mountains, California, US.
Ridge Vineyards is a winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains with vineyards spread across hillside locations and grapes planted at varying elevations. The operation includes several grape varieties and maintains two tasting locations that visitors can explore.
The site started producing wine more than a century ago when early growers planted vines on the hillside. The operation was revived in the mid-20th century and has since become a well-regarded wine producer.
The winery shows a commitment to traditional methods throughout its operations, visible in the open fermentation tanks and wooden barrels scattered across the cellar spaces. Visitors can observe how the winemaking happens step by step, with each stage done by hand rather than by machine.
Plan ahead by booking in advance since tasting slots fill up and visitor numbers are managed daily. Visiting during quieter times of the day or week allows for a more relaxed experience and better interaction with the staff.
A wine from this producer earned an unexpected honor at an international tasting in the 1970s, helping to put California wines on the global stage. That result brought international attention to the winery and the wider California wine region.
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