About This Evening
Ridge was founded in 1959 by Stanford scientists who stumbled onto an old vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Paul Draper joined in 1969 and spent 50 years crafting wines that could hold their own against the great Bordeaux and Burgundies — and did. Their 1971 Monte Bello famously outscored first-growth Bordeaux in a rematch of the legendary 1976 Paris Tasting. But what makes Ridge truly special is their philosophy: minimal intervention, old vines, and an unwavering insistence that where the grapes come from matters more than how extracted the wine can get. A welcome counterpoint to the California stereotype.
What You'll Taste
· Chardonnay — Bright apple and citrus, a world apart from over-oaked California Chardonnay
· Zinfandel — Old-vine, dark berry, baking spice — Ridge's mastery of this grape is unmatched
· GSM Blend — Rhône-inspired, red fruit and herbs, elegant and earthy
· Cabernet Sauvignon — Structured and savory with blackcurrant, graphite, and real aging potential
· Monte Bello — One of America's greatest wines: dense, mineral, and haunting
You'll Leave With
A new benchmark for what California wine can be when restraint guides ambition — and a producer you'll evangelize to friends.
$110 per person · 7–10 PM · The Beacon, 420 SW 9th St., Topeka KS
Purchase 4 or more events and receive a complimentary tasting binder.