2023 Three Valleys

Ruby red color, blackberry and raspberry on the nose. Medium bodied with smooth tannins, plum fruit and a note of vanilla on the finish. JO (1/25)

Since its inception, Ridge has focused on single vineyard wines. Three Valleys, a careful combining of parcels from complementary vineyards, is the exception. Moderate summer temperatures allowed the fruit to mature slowly and develop deep flavors for which Sonoma is known. Enjoyable now, this wine will continue to develop over the next five years. SR (6/24)

The history of the Ridge Three Valleys began with the release of the 2001. The wine contains grapes from a number of Sonoma vineyards—this year, ten. We take great care in selecting the fruit, which is hand-harvested, then crushed and fermented on its native yeast and naturally occurring malolactic bacteria at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs wineries. Unlike our single-vineyard wines, which reflect the distinctive character of each site, Three Valleys represents the blending of vineyards—winemaking—at its finest. Zinfandel determines the wine’s varietal character; old-vine carignane contributes bright fruit and acidity; petite sirah spice, depth of color, and firm tannins.

Rainfall: 64 inches (above normal)
Bloom: June
Weather: Late and prolonged harvest due to consistently cool weather throughout the growing season.

Harvest Dates: 14 August – 31 September
Grapes: Average Brix 25.3˚
TA: 5.69 g/L
pH: 3.82
Fermentation: No inoculation; natrual primary and secondary.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (19% new, 8% one year old, 50% four years old, and 23% five-plus years old).
Aging: Twelve months in barrel

Hand-harvested grapes, destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts followed by a full malolactic on the natural-occurring bacteria; 1% water addition; tartaric acid; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35ppm at crush, 86ppm over the course of aging); membrane sterile filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

See all food pairing recipes we have created specifically for this wine.