Ridge Vineyards Estate Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains Organic 2023 750ml

Expert Reviews — Vintage 2023

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points | "A unicorn wine." The acids naturally occurring with ease in this cool, long, extended growing season, producing wines of tremendous elegance and balance. Sourced entirely from Monte Bello Estate. Minerality is off the charts after barrel fermentation of 9 months on the lees in 85% American and 15% French oak (15% new). Gorgeously lengthy and bright.

Owen Bargreen 95 Points | Decanter 94 Points (Clive Pursehouse) | Wine Advocate 94 Points (Matthew Luczy) | Wine Spectator 93 Points (MaryAnn Worobiec)

Winemaker Notes

100% Chardonnay, organically grown on the Monte Bello Estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Apple fruit, brioche, and vanilla on the nose. Focused citrus, pear, bright acidity, and a clean finish on the palate. Barrel fermented for 9 months on lees in American and French oak.

About Ridge

Ridge Vineyards is one of California’s most iconic and historically significant wineries, founded in 1962 on Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Known for their Monte Bello Cabernet, Ridge’s estate Chardonnay is crafted with the same uncompromising philosophy: organic farming, natural fermentation, and minimal intervention. The 2023 vintage represents a landmark release — a perfect score from Dunnuck confirms this as one of the greatest California Chardonnays ever produced.

Tasting & Pairings

Apple, brioche, vanilla, citrus, pear, and extraordinary minerality. Bright, lengthy, and elegant with focused acidity and a clean finish. Serve lightly chilled.

• Lobster or Dungeness crab with drawn butter — a wine of this caliber deserves equally luxurious shellfish.
• Roasted halibut or turbot with herbs — the minerality and acidity complement noble white fish.
• Aged Comté or triple-crème Brie — the brioche and oak notes pair beautifully with rich cheeses.