1986 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

A cool growing season in 1980 Accentuated the fruit in our three Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay vineyards. The wine was fermented principally in barrel, using Sirugue oak. The barrels from two of the three vineyards, amounting to sixty percent of the total, completed a full secondary fermentation. Fine, lemony fruit is enhanced by both the malolactic and the rich oak. This promises to be one of our finest Chardonnays to date.

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