Monte Bello Chardonnay

Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Chardonnay: Relying on Nature and Tradition

Filed under: Wine

Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Chardonnay
Ridge Vineyards and its Monte Bello Chardonnay, which is made in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Santa Clara County, Ca., is a nominee for a Luxist Awards' Readers' Choice Award for best domestic white wine.

RIdge Vineyards' history dates back to 1885 when Osea Perrone bought 180 acres near the top of Monte Bello Ridge. Perrone terraced the slopes and planted vineyards; using native limestone, he constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage under that name in 1892. This unique cellar, built into the mountainside on three levels, is to this day Ridge's production facility.

Cabernet and zinfandel account for most of the production at Ridge; syrah, grenache, carignane, and petite sirah constitute a small percentage. Ridge has also made limited amounts of chardonnay since 1962.