Monte Bello Featured in SF Chronicle’s “Top 25 Wineries” List

San Francisco Chronicle

April 2023

Ridge Vineyard’s Monte Bello tasting room was once again featured in the San Francisco Chronicle’s annual listing of Top 25 Bay Area wineries to visit. Each year, this list contains some of the best and most unique wine experiences in Northern California. According to the Chronicle’s Senior Wine Editor, Esther Mobley, “This year’s edition is designed to cater to a wide range of experience seekers, whether they want a casual, affordable flight in an urban tasting room or a memorable, luxurious occasion at a picturesque vineyard. Some of the wineries here require going a little out of your way — Ridge and Mount Eden, for example, are located on isolated mountaintops in the Santa Cruz Mountains.” We are honored to be included among such a prestigious group.

Chronicle Wine Writer Esther Mobley describes the journey and experience of visiting Monte Bello:

“Ridge Vineyards is an anomaly in California wine. Despite the fact that it’s located on a remote mountain top in Cupertino, far away from the world-famous Napa Valley, it produces what many connoisseurs consider to be California’s greatest wine: a Cabernet Sauvignon blend called Monte Bello, named for the peak on which it’s grown. Visiting the property requires a shaky drive up these winding roads (and watch out for the cyclists), but it’s worth a pilgrimage for the spectacular views, rich history and superb wines. Not all visitors will get to taste the Monte Bello Cabernet, which sells for $245 a bottle, but the cool thing about Ridge is that it also produces quite a lot of interesting wines that are much more affordable, including a roster of old-vine, best-in-class Zinfandels. If Cupertino is out of the way for you, Ridge has a second tasting room in Healdsburg at its Lytton Springs estate — and reaching it does not require driving on any winding mountain roads.”

With several unique offerings and appointments available, now is the perfect time to visit and explore Monte Bello for yourself!