2022 Ridge "Pagani Ranch" Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

Early flowering and mild summer weather provided excellent growing conditions. This vineyard in the cool Sonoma Valley is always the last picked, but this year it ripened early. It came in over five days in mid-September. Selected blocks of old vines planted between 1896 and 1922 give depth of flavor and texture. The younger vines add intense fruit and racy acidity. This fine wine will be most enjoyable over the next ten years. Grapes destemmed and crushed. Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations; pumped over a floating cap. 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 10% one year old, 20% two years old, 5% three years old, and 50% neutral oak). 14 months barrel aging.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

In 1962, Ridge made its first Monte Bello, and two years later its first zinfandel. Since that time, Ridge has championed single-vineyard winemaking, searching California for those rare and exceptional vineyards where climate, soil, and variety are ideally matched.

Ridge calls their approach to winemaking “pre-industrial.” They believe that for anyone attempting to make fine wine, modern additives and industrial processing limit true quality. Relying on the natural yeast, they let the terroir define the wine and make their winemaking decisions based upon taste, not a recipe. They believe in transparency and as a result, they include a list of ingredients on every wine they make. They are committed to sustainability and organic farming and are the largest grower of organically certified grapes in Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.