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Sommelier Symposium: Paul Draper, Twelve Top Somms, and You!

May 13, 2013

The 2013 Ridge Vineyards Sommelier Symposium:

Paul Draper, Twelve Top Somms, & You!

(please scroll to the end of this post
for an updated list of #RidgeSomms posts!)

The Annual Ridge Vineyards Sommelier Symposium takes place over two intensive days, and this year, we are inviting you IN!

Please join us, and enjoy unprecedented behind-the-scenes virtual access to one of our most exceptional, yet heretofore private, annual events.

You can friend it on Facebook, follow it on Twitter, read it on our Blog, or watch it on YouTube, but no matter which channel is your go-to tune-in for all things wine, these sessions are sure to swing, and we want you in the club!

Join Paul Draper and a winemaker’s dozen of the best Sommeliers from around the country for two days of winery tours, barrel tastings, library verticals, wine dinners, and more.

You’ll tour Monte Bello’s century-old barrel rooms with winemaker Eric Baugher, and walk Geyserville’s rows of century-old vines with vineyard manager David Gates; you’ll experience eco-sustainable Lytton Springs with winemaker John Olney, and tour the famed Radoux Cooperage with Paul Draper. From barrel to bottle, Santa Cruz to Sonoma, you’ll follow our Sommeliers as they enjoy two intensive days of all things Ridge.

In short, when they’re here, you’re here!

sympLogo-01

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What:

Ridge Vineyards Sommelier Symposium, 2013

 

When:

May 20th & 21st, 2013

 

Where:

4488: A Ridge Blog

Ridge Vineyards on FacebookRidge Vineyards on Twitter
RidgeVineyards on YouTube

Just filter for #RidgeSomms, and you’re IN!

~

To read additional #RidgeSomms posts,
please check out the selections below!

#RidgeSomms: I Cover The Waterfront (5.18.13)

#RidgeSomms: To Dine In The Valleys (5.17.13)

#RidgeSomms: Jackets Are Preferred (5.17.13)

#RidgeSomms: One Mile High And Rising! (5.16.13)

#RidgeSomms: The Powers of Austin! (5.15.13)

#RidgeSomms: Christina Donley Is A Moth To St. Elmo’s Flame! (5.15.13)

#RidgeSomms: Michael Torino Sees “Red!” (5.14.13)

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Posted in Business of Wine, Events & Photographs, Food & Wine Pairing, Geyserville, History, Lytton Springs, Monte Bello, Paul Draper, Ridge Memorabilia, RIDGE Staff, Social Media, Special Offerings, Tasting Events/Opportunities, Tasting Flights, Tasting Notes, Tasting Rooms, Video, Vineyards and Oenology, Virtual Verticals, Viticultural Salmagundi, Wine & Food Pairing, Wine Blogs, Wine Quotes, Wine Tales, Winemaking | Leave a Comment »

A Mazzoni Island of the Mind ~or~ First Friday at Monte Bello!

May 3, 2013

Greetings!

It’s May 3rd, and it’s First Friday at Monte Bello!

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For our May edition of this very special monthly event, we will be celebrating the release of the new 2009 Mazzoni Home Ranch Zinfandel! The 2009 is one of the most notably zinfandel-forward Mazzoni offerings in recent years, and while it shows all the compact rusticity and culinarily companionable spice and acidity we’ve come to expect from this old-vine vineyard, it does so in a comparatively lusher, more fruit-driven fashion, and as such, is already showing beautifully with just two years in the bottle.

09ZMZ1-front

And dig this!

We’ll be pouring the 2009 in a two-vintage vertical with its predecessor, the 2008 Mazzoni!

08ZMZ-front-01

This is the last chance we’ll have the ’08 on hand as a current release, making this an especially rarefied tasting opportunity.

Making today, a good day to be a member.

So remember, if you’re a member, remember:

First Friday!

~

First Friday at Monte Bello
Date: 5/3/2013

May 3rd ~ 4-7pm

Please join us on the first Friday of each month for an evening affair of delicious wines and small bites. While this is a Member Event, we are more than happy to host guests of our members as well! We’ll have some delicious small bites on offer for your enjoyment.

Members with shipments available for pick up at this event:
ATP – Monthly
ATP – Consolidated
(be sure to note that you are picking up on your RSVP)

Eventbrite - First Friday at Monte Bello - May 2013

~

For a bit of history on the Mazzoni Home Ranch:

zmz

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Posted in Carignane, Events & Photographs, Food & Wine Pairing, History, Monte Bello, Special Offerings, Tasting Events/Opportunities, Tasting Flights, Tasting Notes, Tasting Rooms, Varietals & Blends, Vintage Wine Labels, Wine & Food Pairing, Wine Clubs, Zinfandel | 1 Comment »

The Yesses & Nos of Easter in the Tasting Rooms of Ridge

March 30, 2013

Yes, our Lytton Springs & Monte Bello Tasting Rooms are open this Easter Sunday. (11am-4pm)

No, we will not be offering Palate-Cleanser Peeps.

Yes, our staff will be prepared to offer expert suggestions on wines to pair with Easter dinner.

No, the Optima Font is not Pagan in origin.

Yes, children are welcome in our tasting rooms, provided they remain under close parental supervision at all times.

No, the label does not say egg finding, it says egg fining.

Yes, the President of the United States hosts an Easter Egg Roll on the lawn of the White House.

No, Sandy does not host a “Zinfandel Roll” in the old vines next to the Lytton Springs Tasting Room.

Yes, we believe that wine is food.

No, an Ah So Cork Puller is not a fertility symbol.

Yes, wine stains.

No, we will not be dyeing eggs with wine.

Yes, we will be pouring Monte Bello.

No, there will not be a “Monte Bello Hunt”.

MB_Peeps

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Posted in Lytton Springs, Monte Bello, Tasting Rooms | Leave a Comment »

Alert: Monte Bello Tasting Room closed 3.9.13-3.10.13!

March 5, 2013

Please note: The Monte Bello Tasting Room will be closed the weekend of March 9th and 10th for a private Monte Bello Collector Member Event. We apologize for any inconvenience caused, and we look forward to hosting you at another time!

MB1

If we might be so bold as to make the suggestion, a great alternative this weekend would be to attend Barrel Tasting at Lytton Springs! For more, please click here.

BarrelWeekend#2

(photo by E. Grivas)

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Posted in Events & Photographs, Lytton Springs, Monte Bello, Tasting Rooms | Leave a Comment »

Barrel Tasting Weekend!

March 3, 2013

Were you in Sonoma yesterday, enjoying barrel tasting weekend??? Fantastic!

Did you go to Lytton Springs???

If you did, I bet you had a dyn-o-mite time!

Did you take any pictures? I’d love to see them!

I’ve got some for you too!

Let’s look …

Wait!

I should say first, that if you missed yesterday’s rampant delightfulness, that’s ok; not only is the event on again today, but it’s on next weekend as well!

Want to know what’s on offer in the way of barrel samples?

This weekend: 2012 Buchignani Ranch Carignane & 2012 Lytton Springs

Next weekend: 2012 Ponzo Zinfandel & 2012 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah

For full event details, please scroll to the end of the post. And in the meantime, pictures!

BarrelWeekend#2 BarrelWeekend HorseshoeVIne john#1barrel johnssilouette LonghornVine lyttonspringswithbarrel Spring_in_the_vineyard vineyard_visitor vineyardatwinter

Yeah, that’s the stuff …

~

And here are the event specs:

Barrel Tasting @ Lytton Springs

35th Annual Barrel Tasting Weekends

March 2-3 and March 9-10, 2013

11:00 am – 4:00 pm each day

We are very excited to again be participating in the Wine Road’s Barrel Tasting weekends! This is a fantastic opportunity to sample wines from the barrel, talk to winemakers and explore the beautiful Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.

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(all images in this post courtesy of E. Grivas)

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Posted in Events & Photographs, Lytton Springs, Special Offerings, Tasting Events/Opportunities, Tasting Flights, Tasting Rooms | Leave a Comment »

March Madness

February 28, 2013

My boss is … shall we say … aware of college athletics. So March Madness means something to him.

MM13

He is not, on the other hand, a male European Hare. March Madness means something entirely different to a male European Hare.

MM_Hare

And then there is working at Ridge, where March Madness means something altogether again.

IMG_9511

Consider the events:

At Lytton Springs, not one but TWO concurrent weekends of Barrel Tasting!

LS_BarrelTastingWeekend_I

Barrel Tasting @ Lytton Springs

 35th Annual Barrel Tasting Weekends

March 2-3 and March 9-10, 2013

11:00 am – 4:00 pm each day

We are very excited to again be participating in the Wine Road’s Barrel Tasting weekends! This is a fantastic opportunity to sample wines from the barrel, talk to winemakers and explore the beautiful Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys.

~

And at Monte Bello, the first of three Monte Bello Collector Events, the legendary Component Tasting!

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Monte Bello Component Tasting

Date: 3/9/2013

Ridge Vineyards is happy to welcome Monte Bello Collector members to attend the first Assemblage event of 2013!

Saturday & Sunday March 9th & 10th

11am-4pm

Monte Bello, Cupertino, CA

Please note that our Monte Bello Estate will be closed to all NON Monte Bello Collector members for this very special event.

Join us for our 12th annual Component Tasting on March 9th & 10th. This event is an exclusive opportunity for Monte Bello Collector members to meet the winemaking team and taste barrel samples of the separate varietal components. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to participate firsthand in the assemblage process and sample Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from the Monte Bello Vineyard.

This is also a great opportunity to pick up your 2010 Monte Bello (which was purchased in 2011) and experience the Monte Bello estate. We look forward to seeing you at this special event.

An RSVP is required and must be received by Thurs, Feb 28th. This event is for Monte Bello Collector members only (a total of 4 attendees per membership). To ensure availability to all Collector members, please RSVP for only one day. There is no fee to attend.

~

All of which makes for a fly slide into the next tier of our March intensities; meaning, consider the Membership offerings:

For the ATP tine of our fine vine trident, we’ve the March Seasonal:

-2008 Lytton Estate Syrah

-2010 Carmichael Zinfandel

-2009 Buchignani Ranch Zinfandel

.

And for the Zlist branch of the Big Z Tree, it’s the ring-a-ding bling of the Spring:

-2011 Geyserville

-2011 Paso Robles

-2011 East Bench

.

And for our Monte Bello Collector Members (those who began reserving allocations at the time this vintage was on offer) the new vintage of Monte Bello:

-2010 Monte Bello

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Madness.

madness

No, definitely not THAT Madness. Try again.

SR_TenorMadness

Ok, WAY cooler, but still no. Madness.

ReeferMadness

Definitely not. Madness.

IMG_1834

Yes, Madness.

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Posted in Events & Photographs, Geyserville, Lytton Springs, Monte Bello, Special Offerings, Tasting Events/Opportunities, Tasting Rooms, Wine Clubs | Leave a Comment »

Sneak Preview on New Releases for Members this coming First Friday at Monte Bello!

February 26, 2013

For Present & In The Moment Digging:

First Friday at Monte Bello

March 1st ~ 4-7pm

Spring is an exciting time to be a Ridge Vineyards member! Just as Mother Nature brings new life and color to the season, so too do new wines populate the landscape. No matter your membership flavor — ATP, Collector, Zlist — the taste of Spring is delicious, and the March First Friday is a great opportunity to inaugurate the seasonal celebration. We invite you to join us as we share and enjoy a delectable sneak preview of some fantastic new releases!

In addition to great wines, we’ll also have some delicious small bites on offer as well. And remember, while this is a Member Event, we are more than happy to host guests of our members too!

Members with shipments available for pick up at this event (be sure to note that you are picking up on your RSVP):

ATP-Consolidated

Z List

2010 Monte Bello Futures

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Been to a First Friday before? Then we look forward to welcoming you back for another chill-mo-dee edition!

Not yet attended one of these very special happenings? Then we invite you to join the happiness!

DED_FF FF_VII IMG_0781 IMG_0783

~

For more about First Friday, and to RSVP if you wish to attend, please click here.

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Posted in Events & Photographs, Food & Wine Pairing, Monte Bello, RIDGE Staff, Tasting Events/Opportunities, Tasting Rooms, Wine & Food Pairing, Wine Clubs | Leave a Comment »

and how will YOU be celebrating tomorrow’s presidential holiday? mutton? hard-bop?

February 17, 2013

It’s true, George Washington did indeed seem to innately understand the ritual importance of wine, the conventional purity of wine, the canonical vitality of wine …

My manner of living is plain and I do not mean to be put out of it. A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready

And it seems to be rather unimpeachably true that it wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln’s tenure in the White House that wine was “officially” served at an Official White House function (we appear to actually have Mary Todd Lincoln to thank for that!).

But truth be told, if you REALLY wish to celebrate tomorrow, you REALLY ought to plan on drinking wine and listening to the great saxophonist Harold Land.

Because he was born February 18th. And that’s tomorrow.

So, wanna REALLY get yer Jazz & Wine bona fides on?

Then take a moment tomorrow to sit with a glass of good wine and dig “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” as performed by the  Harold Land-Carmell Jones Quintet; one of the most brilliant and most woefully under-celebrated jazz ensembles ever to emerge from the bop-hard bop idiom.

Land_Jones_Wine

Hey! Here’s an idea! Don’t sit at home, come join us!

That’s right, I personally invite you to contact our Monte Bello Estate, and request a tasting. Call early enough tomorrow, and we can try and slot you in at 11am. Too early? Ok, how’s 2pm sound? Good? Good!

Hey, here’s an even better idea; book online RIGHT NOW! (see link below). 

But whatever you do, remember, Monte Bello is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY on weekdays, so even though it’s a holiday, Presidents Day still counts as a weekday, which means you still need an appointment!

Wine, Harold Land, you, me, the Presidents … groovy.

~

And for those of you who can’t get to our mountain, have no fear, Lytton Springs is here! 7 days a week in Sonoma! You just GOT to have a go! (See link below!)

~

One nation, under jazz, with cabernet and grooviness for all.

~

Visit Monte Bello

Visit Lytton Springs

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Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, History, Lytton Springs, Monte Bello, Special Offerings, Tasting Events/Opportunities, Tasting Rooms, Wine & Music, Wine and Jazz | Leave a Comment »

Rhymes With Taco …

January 31, 2013

Yes, tomorrow night’s First Friday event at our Monte Bello Estate is indeed going to be a special affair; after  all, a rare three-vintage vertical of the already-elusive Carmichael doth not row down thy river very often …

(For more about this special vertical tasting opportunity, please click here)

But that ain’t all the tasting that’s fit to pour!

We’ll also be sharing a very new, VERY elusive offering: the new vintage of our Mikulaco Chardonnay! 2011, to be exact …

11hmk1

2011 Ridge Vineyards Mikulaco Chardonnay

Not unlike the Yeti, many have heard its name, know its legend, ponder its existence. Few claim to have seen it, many have been confounded in their search. For some, a dream haunter, for others, a waking passion.

But for now, for all, for you.

2011 Chardonnay Mikulaco

100% Chardonnay

Winemaker Tasting Notes

Tart citrus fruits, green apple, lean, briny/sea salt & mineral. A perfect for pairing with hog island oysters and a baguette.

~The Mikulaco family came to Monte Bello in the late 1930s, and planted a small vineyard in 1982. Ridge began farming it in the mid-nineties, limiting crop yields to improve quality. Unusually cold weather in 2011 gripped the vineyard, delaying bud-break and bloom by a month; harvest was on October 17. Wholecluster pressed, the juice was sent to barrel for natural yeast primary fermentation. In spring, during malolactic, the barrels were stirred once a week. When blind-tasted with our estate parcels, the wine’s unique vineyard character was evident. Showing wonderfully scented cool-climate fruit and firm acid, the Mikulaco chardonnay will be at its best over the next three to five years. EB (9/12)~

 

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Posted in Chardonnay, Events & Photographs, Monte Bello, Special Offerings, Tasting Events/Opportunities, Tasting Flights, Tasting Notes, Tasting Rooms, Varietals & Blends | Leave a Comment »

Right Here, Right Now

January 27, 2013

Is it raining with you?

Is there snow on the ground?

Cloud cover a little heavy?

Fog rolling in?

Chilly?

How about hot? Too hot?

Too dry?

Well, how about this, as an alternative?

MB_1.27

That’s the view of our Monte Bello Tasting Room from atop our vineyard knoll.

See anything missing?

I do.

You.

I’d like to see you in this picture.

Can you come here?

Or maybe you’re north.

Are you north?

Would this work better for you?

ls_1.27

That’s our Lytton Springs Estate, just a few minutes ago. We have a tasting room there too.

Sure is pretty.

Kinda wish I was there.

Can you go there?

If you can, will you send me a picture?

I’d like to see you there.

Or you could come here.

If you do, I’ll take a picture of you, and then you can send it to me, and then we can post it right here.

Right here.

Right now.

I was alive and I waited, waited
I was alive and I waited for this

Right here, right now, there is no other place I wanna be
Right here, right now, watching the world wake up from history

–Jesus Jones, “Right Here, Right Now”

Posted in Events & Photographs, Lytton Springs, Monte Bello, Tasting Rooms | 2 Comments »

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