2018 Ridge Vineyards, Geyserville, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.

Alexander Valley is a renowned wine region in Sonoma County, California, producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. Its warm climate, well-drained soils, and diverse topography create an ideal terroir for growing premium grapes. The valley's proximity to the Russian River and the coast generates moderate temperatures, which helps produce balanced and expressive wines.

Ridge Vineyards makes wines that compete in terms of quality and desirability with Bordeaux First Growths and Grand Cru White Burgundies. Winemaker Paul Draper has crafted 43 vintages at Ridge and his practical, hands-off approach to winemaking has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines. Although a vineyard was first planted near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1885, it lay abandoned until four Stanford Research Institute engineers bought it in 1959. Ridge Vineyards was formed in 1962 and Paul Draper was appointed as winemaker in 1969. After stunning the world by their triumph in the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting, Ridge Vineyards shot to fame and gained cult status almost overnight.