Ridge Lytton Springs, Dry Creek Valley AVA , Sonoma County

Description

Ridge Lytton Springs is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Mataro produced from grapes grown in the Dry Creek Valley AVA of Sonoma County, located northwest of the town of Healdsburg.

Ridge Vineyards, renowned for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel wines, boasts a rich history dating back to 1885. It was then that Osea Perrone, an Italian immigrant and doctor, first planted grapevines on Monte Bello Ridge. Though the vineyards changed hands over the years, it was in 1959 that Ridge Vineyards as we know it today was founded by a group of engineers from Stanford Research Institute. In 1962, Ridge released its first Monte Bello blend, a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine that would quickly gain acclaim. This was followed in 1964 by their first Zinfandel. The 1970 arrival of Paul Draper as winemaker marked a pivotal moment. Draper, with his dedication to traditional winemaking methods and minimal intervention, crafted an impressive 47 vintages for Ridge, solidifying its reputation as a producer of world-class wines.

While Ridge Vineyards was acquired by a Japanese company, Otsuka U.S., in 1987, it remains committed to producing single-estate wines from its vineyards across Northern California. The company operates two wineries, one at the historic Monte Bello site and another at Lytton Springs. Ridge is particularly celebrated for its Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon, a field blend that showcases the unique terroir of the Monte Bello Ridge. However, the majority of their production is dedicated to Zinfandel, with acclaimed wines like Geyserville, York Creek, and Lytton Springs. These wines, often sourced from old vines, demonstrate the complexity and age-ability of Zinfandel, further cementing Ridge’s status as a leading California winery.

The Ridge Lytton Springs Vineyard is located on the bench and hills separating Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys, just north of Healdsburg, Sonoma County. The soils are varied, with a predominance of gravelly clay; and gravelly clay loam on hillsides. The first Ridge Lytton Springs was made in 1972 from vines planted on the eastern half of the vineyard at the turn of the century. Ridge purchased both the eastern and western portions of the vineyard in the early 1990s, (In the 1870s, under “Captain” William Litton’s ownership, the two were part of one property and spelling evolved into Lytton by 1903). Lytton Springs is planted with 100 years old Zinfandel vines which are interplanted with Petite Sirah, Carignane, a small amount of Mataro (Mourvedre), and Grenache.

The 2020 Ridge Lytton Springs is blend of 79% Zinfandel, 11% Petite Sirah and 10% Carignane. Each variety and each lot are fermented separately using natural yeast fermentation, letting the wines undergo natural malolactic, and employing minimal egg white fining.