1987 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

This vintage includes the last harvest from the old, heavily virused vines on the Monte Bello Vineyard, as well as part of the small Mikulaco block and the major plantings on the Jimsomare ranch. All three are within a two-mile radius on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This flowery chardonnay completed a full secondary fermentation, which adds richness to the wine. A fine vintage, it should develop with a year or two of bottle age and be at its best in the early 1990s.

Founded in 1959, Ridge was one of the first of today’s small, fine California wineries—limiting production to achieve the highest quality. From the beginning, close adherence to traditional winemaking techniques has set Ridge apart. This approach determines our style and includes the use of natural yeast submerged-cap fermentations, aging in small oak cooperage, and careful racking at each transfer to achieve clarity. Located above 2300 feet on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains, our winery overlooks San Francisco Bay