Ridge Vineyards earned its place among the world’s elite when its flagship Monte Bello famously outperformed leading Bordeaux at the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting. In the now legendary blind tasting, French judges unexpectedly ranked several Californian wines ahead of France’s most celebrated estates, proving that the New World could rival Europe’s greatest regions. Today Ridge remains widely admired for producing some of California’s most elegant and ageworthy wines, guided by a philosophy of minimal intervention, native yeasts and transparent winemaking that allows the character of vineyard and vintage to shine.

“Sourced from the Fossil Creek and Adelaida Vineyards, the 2025 Ridge Grenache Blanc has small portions Picpoul and Roussanne as well as Bourboulenc blended in. This is a broad-shouldered and rich bottling that is best served on the slightly warmer side. Nutty nuances combine with banana, lychee and ripe peach on the nose. The palate is lush and filled with mouth-watering acidity, as a gorgeous melange of citrus, tropical and melon fruits greet you. Drink 2026-2033."  Owen Bargreen