Industry Recognition & Certifications

RIDGE strives to be a thought leader for climate action in the wine industry. Though each individual can make an impact, we acknowledge that it takes a combined effort to make an even larger impact. Through meaningful partnerships and proper procedure, we surround ourselves with the best tools and resources to make carbon neutrality a priority. Throughout this process, we commit ourselves to transparency and will share our progress here.

Our Organic Timeline and Achievements

In 2008, after more than a decade of sustainably farming our estate vineyards, and after five years of experimenting with new organic treatments, we began the process of organic certification. The transition period for such certification in the U.S. is three years. For that period, the land is farmed adhering to the standards of the National Organics Program and the California State Organics Program prior to full certification.

After the transition period, a third-party certifying agency audits all internal records and cross-checks with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to verify that only organic products, amendments, fertilizers and other inputs have been used. Upon certification, the amount of land and type of crop is registered with the State of California and the local county Agricultural Commissioner, and the requisite fees are paid to the certifier and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. At that point, a wine produced from the certified grapes can be labeled as “organically grown” if 100% of the grapes are certified. Each ranch is inspected annually by the certifying agency, and there is ongoing examination of records and documents.

RIDGE is one of the largest growers of organically certified grapes
in Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA

When we made the commitment to transition to organic farming, our vineyard team developed a plan to certify groups of vineyard blocks over a number of years.

2011
76 acres at Monte Bello and 135 acres at Lytton Springs and Geyserville were certified organic

2014
A second wave of blocks at both our Geyserville and Lytton Springs Vineyards completed certification

2015
The remaining blocks of the Geyserville Vineyard were certified organic

2021
As of harvest, the total of our organically farmed vines has reached 379 acres

2022
As of harvest, 100% of our estate vineyards are certified organic, including
Monte Bello, Lytton Springs, Geyserville, and East Bench.

RIDGE Organic Certification Documents

Ridge Vineyards’ goal of enacting climate change in the wine industry is reflected in our dedication to transparency. We feel that this is an important aspect for the wine industry. We hope to encourage others making fine wine to entrust their customers with their list of ingredients and organic certification documents.

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