RIDGE

All estate-grown grapes, hand harvested; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; 0.6 grams/liter tartaric acid; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 parts per million at crush, 155 ppm over the course of aging). Pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions. Age of Vines: Lytton East: zinfandel, petite sirah, grenache and carignane planted 1901 (32 acres) and 1910 (11 acres); zinfandel and petite sirah, planted 1997-1998 (5 acres), Lytton West: zinfandel, petite sirah, carignane, grenach replanted 1953 – 1968 (26 acres); zinfandel and petite sirah, planted 1980’s (2.5 acres); zinfandel and petite sirah planted in 1990’s (42.8 acres); zinfandel, limited petite sirah, limited carignane, in 2000’s (60 acres).Winemaker's notes (May 2014)

After two unseasonably cool summers, July alone saw eight days over 100˚. In late August, milder temperatures prevailed, providing perfect conditions for a ripe —but not overripe—vintage. Fermentation brought out plentiful color and tannin. During aging, we added wine from one hundred-year-old vines on Hill Five for depth and structure. Spice, brambly fruit, and fine tannins characterize this excellent wine. Enjoyable upon release, it will evolve over the next ten years. 70% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane, 3% Mataro. Winemaker's notes (May 2014)