Ridge Vineyards needs little introduction for most wine lovers. Its famous Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon and its long-time steward Paul Draper have been standard-bearers for California wine longer than most trendy Napa wineries have been in existence. Monte Bello 1971 was included in the original Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976, and it came out on top when that tasting was re-enacted with the same wines 30 years later. (Draper always wished that the longer-living 1970 had been selected.)
In addition to its famous Cabernet, Ridge (and Draper) have long been tireless advocates for California Zinfandel. Their belief in the quality, heritage and distinctiveness of the grape reaches its apotheosis in their annual production of Geyserville and Lytton Springs, two Zinfandel-dominated field blends made from historic, old-vine vineyards in Sonoma County.
The 2022 vintage marks the 50th anniversary of the Lytton Springs bottling, first produced in 1972. Sadly, the winery has no remaining bottles of 1972 or 1973, but that didn’t stop them from inviting some members of the trade and media to an event looking back at a number of historic vintages, including the 1974, in celebration of this year’s anniversary.
A vineyard and a handshake
In the winter of 1971, winemaker Paul Draper was driving around Sonoma County looking for old vineyards from which he might source grapes for a small but growing portfolio of wines at Ridge. One rainy afternoon, he pulled into the small Nervo winery in Geyserville and walked in to find Dick Sherwin and his wife tasting wine. They got to talking, and when Draper told them that he was on the hunt for old vines, Sherwin told him that he had recently purchased an old vineyard less than a mile away that Draper might want to take a look at.
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Source : https://www.vinography.com/2024/08/ridge-lytton-springs-turns-50
