MONTE BELLO - scmwine/Wineries GitHub Wiki

Monte Bello

Infobox

  • Type: Vineyard / Historic estate / World-class wine site
  • Location: Monte Bello Ridge, Cupertino, California
  • Region / AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains
  • Elevation: ~2,600 feet above sea level (peak of Monte Bello Ridge)
  • Soils: Franciscan greenstone, fractured limestone, well-drained mountain soils
  • Exposure: Ridge-top site with multiple exposures
  • First planted: 1885 (Dr. Osea Perrone)
  • Replanted: Late 1940s (William Short, Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • Current status: Producing, estate vineyard of Ridge Vineyards
  • Total acreage: Originally 180 acres (Perrone era); current plantings ~95 acres
  • Associated wineries: Ridge Vineyards (1962-present), Gemello Winery (1959 vintage only)
  • Associated people: Dr. Osea Perrone (1885), William Short (late 1940s), Mario Gemello (1959), Ridge founders (1962), Paul Draper (1969-2016)
  • Historical significance: California's most celebrated mountain vineyard; 1971 vintage won 2006 Judgment of Paris retrospective, beating First Growth Bordeaux; represents 140+ years of continuous viticultural recognition

Summary

Monte Bello is California's most celebrated mountain vineyard site, located on Monte Bello Ridge in Cupertino at approximately 2,600 feet elevation within the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA. Established in 1885 by Dr. Osea Perrone, the site has maintained viticultural recognition for over 140 years through multiple eras: Perrone's pioneering 1885-1892 operations, William Short's visionary late-1940s replanting, Mario Gemello's proof-of-quality 1959 vintage, and Ridge Vineyards' continuous production since 1962. The flagship Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly the 1971 vintage that won the 2006 Judgment of Paris 30-year retrospective by beating all First Growth Bordeaux, has established Monte Bello as a world-class vineyard site capable of producing age-worthy wines equal to the finest European estates. The site's historic limestone winery, built by Perrone in 1885 and still in use, physically embodies the continuity from 19th-century California viticulture to the modern wine renaissance.

Site History

Early Era: Dr. Osea Perrone (1885-early 1900s)

1885: Establishment Dr. Osea Perrone, an Italian physician, purchased 180 acres on Monte Bello Ridge in 1885 and established the original Monte Bello Winery. Perrone recognized the site's viticultural potential based on its elevation, exposure, and well-drained mountain soils.

Historic Construction Perrone built a limestone winery into the mountainside, a structure of remarkable durability that still stands today as the core of Ridge Vineyards' production facility. This building represents one of California's most significant preserved 19th-century winery structures.

1892: First Vintage Perrone's Monte Bello Winery produced its first vintage in 1892, establishing the site's early reputation. The winery operated through the 1890s and into the early 20th century.

Terracing Perrone terraced the steep mountain slopes to create viable vineyard plots, engineering work that shaped the property's viticultural layout for over a century.

Abandonment Following Prohibition and changing economic conditions, the Monte Bello vineyard fell into disuse. The site remained largely dormant through the 1920s, 1930s, and early 1940sβ€”representative of the "lost middle" decades when Santa Cruz Mountains viticulture nearly disappeared.

Replanting / Continuity: William Short (Late 1940s-1962)

Late 1940s: Visionary Replanting William Short acquired the historic Monte Bello property and replanted the vineyard with Cabernet Sauvignon. This represented a rare mid-century act of faith in mountain viticulture at a time when most valley and mountain vineyards had been abandoned or converted to orchards.

Short's decision to replant preserved one of California's most important historic vineyard sites and set the stage for the modern Ridge era.

1959: The Gemello Proof-of-Concept In a pivotal moment for the site's history, Short sold his Monte Bello grapes to Mario Gemello, master winemaker at Gemello Winery in Mountain View.

Gemello produced the first commercial wine from the replanted Monte Bello vineyardβ€”a Cabernet Sauvignon that demonstrated the site's exceptional quality potential. This 1959 vintage:

  • Proved the site could produce world-class wine
  • Attracted the attention of the Ridge founders
  • Established a quality benchmark for mountain Cabernet

1962: Sale to Ridge Founders William Short sold the Monte Bello property to four Stanford Research Institute engineers (Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, Howard Ziedler), who founded Ridge Vineyards.

The sequenceβ€”Perrone β†’ Short β†’ Gemello β†’ Ridgeβ€”represents one of the most important continuity threads in California wine history.

Modern Era: Ridge Vineyards (1962-Present)

1962-1969: Founding Era The Ridge founders, though weekend winemakers rather than professionals, recognized the site's potential (likely influenced by Gemello's 1959 wine) and began producing Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon.

They re-bonded the winery using Perrone's historic limestone building and produced their first vintage in 1962.

1969-2016: The Paul Draper Epoch Paul Draper joined Ridge in 1969 as winemaker, beginning a 47-year tenure that would establish Monte Bello as one of the world's great vineyard sites.

Draper's winemaking philosophy:

  • Terroir expression over winemaking technique
  • Traditional methods inspired by 19th-century Bordeaux
  • Minimal intervention to let the site speak
  • Age-worthy structure for decades of cellaring

Key Vintages and Recognition:

1971 Monte Bello β€” The defining vintage:

  • Selected for 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting (placed 5th among reds)
  • Won 2006 Judgment of Paris 30-year retrospective, placing 1st and beating all First Growth Bordeaux (Mouton Rothschild, Haut-Brion, Montrose, etc.)
  • Demonstrated that California mountain Cabernet could age as gracefully as First Growth Bordeaux
  • Established Monte Bello as a world-class site

Other Notable Vintages:

  • Ridge has produced Monte Bello Cabernet continuously since 1962
  • Multiple vintages have achieved critical acclaim and collector status
  • The site's consistency across decades demonstrates true grand cru quality

Vineyard Development: Ridge expanded and refined the Monte Bello estate over 60+ years:

2016-Present: Post-Draper Continuity Following Paul Draper's retirement in 2016, Ridge has maintained the Monte Bello winemaking philosophy through leadership transitions (Eric Baugher, Trester Goetting, John Olney, Lauren Lyall).

The consistency of quality across this transition demonstrates that Monte Bello's greatness resides primarily in the site itself, though skilled winemaking remains essential to expressing it.

Chronology

  • 1885 β€” Dr. Osea Perrone purchases 180 acres on Monte Bello Ridge, establishes vineyard, builds limestone winery into mountainside
  • 1892 β€” First vintage from Perrone's Monte Bello Winery
  • Early 1900s β€” Vineyard falls into disuse following Prohibition and economic changes
  • Late 1940s β€” William Short acquires property and replants Cabernet Sauvignon, preserving the historic site
  • 1959 β€” Mario Gemello produces first commercial wine from replanted vineyard, using William Short's grapes; proves site's exceptional quality
  • 1962 β€” Four Stanford engineers (Bennion, Crane, Rosen, Ziedler) purchase property from Short, found Ridge Vineyards; first Ridge Monte Bello vintage
  • 1969 β€” Paul Draper joins Ridge as winemaker, beginning 47-year tenure
  • 1971 β€” Vintage that would later win 2006 Judgment of Paris retrospective
  • 1976 β€” 1971 Monte Bello featured in Judgment of Paris, placing 5th among reds
  • 1962-2026 β€” Continuous Ridge production (60+ vintages)
  • 2006 β€” 1971 Monte Bello wins Judgment of Paris 30-year retrospective, placing 1st over all First Growth Bordeaux
  • 2016 β€” Paul Draper retires after 47 years
  • Present β€” Ridge continues Monte Bello production under John Olney's leadership

Viticulture

Varietals

Current Plantings (~95 acres total):

  • Cabernet Sauvignon β€” 66.4 acres (primary varietal, backbone of Monte Bello blend)
  • Merlot β€” 12.8 acres (softening component in blend)
  • Petit Verdot β€” 2.2 acres (structure and complexity)
  • Cabernet Franc β€” 1.3 acres (aromatic lift and finesse)
  • Chardonnay β€” Small plantings (for Monte Bello Chardonnay)

Historical Plantings:

  • 1885-early 1900s (Perrone era): Unknown varietals, likely Italian and possibly Mission grapes
  • Late 1940s-1962 (Short era): Cabernet Sauvignon (established the site's modern identity)

Rootstock / Clone Notes

  • Rootstock: Various selections chosen for well-drained, fractured mountain soils
  • Clones: Mix of heritage California selections and refined Bordeaux clones
  • Philosophy: Diversity of plant material to hedge against disease and capture site complexity

Farming Notes

  • Elevation: ~2,600 feet at ridge peak (one of California's highest vineyard sites)
  • Organic practices: Commitment to sustainable, environmentally responsible viticulture
  • Dry farming: Minimal irrigation, forcing deep root systems
  • Low yields: Mountain conditions naturally limit production, concentrating flavors
  • Hand farming: Terraced, steep slopes require manual vineyard work
  • Native yeasts: Fruit allowed to ferment with indigenous yeasts for terroir expression

Harvest

  • Timing: Later than valley vineyards due to elevation and cooler temperatures
  • Selective picking: Multiple passes through vineyard to harvest at optimal ripeness
  • Small lots: Vineyard blocks vinified separately to understand site variation

Site Characteristics

Geography

  • Location: Monte Bello Ridge crest, above Cupertino in Santa Cruz Mountains
  • Elevation: Approximately 2,600 feet above sea level (among California's highest vineyards)
  • Topography: Ridge-top site with terraced slopes; steep mountainside requiring extensive engineering
  • Exposures: Multiple exposures across different vineyard blocks, creating microclimatic diversity
  • Climate influences:
    • Altitude: Cool temperatures, extended growing season
    • Marine influence: Fog from Pacific moderates heat
    • Diurnal variation: Large day-night temperature swings preserve acidity
    • Mountain weather: Exposure to wind, variable conditions, natural stress

Geology

  • Primary soils: Franciscan greenstone (metamorphic rock)
  • Secondary soils: Fractured limestone (significant for "Monte Bello" name)
  • Characteristics:
    • Extremely well-drained (critical for quality)
    • Low vigor (limits yields naturally)
    • Mineral-rich (contributes to wine character)
    • Variable depth (creates site complexity)
  • Geological significance: Ancient seabed pushed up by tectonic activity, creating unique mountain terroir

How Geology Influences Wine Character

The Monte Bello wines are characterized by:

  • Structure and longevity from low-vigor soils and natural stress
  • Mineral complexity from limestone and greenstone soils
  • Balance from extended growing season and diurnal temperature variation
  • Aromatic intensity from concentration due to limited yields
  • Age-worthiness from natural acidity preservation at altitude

The 1971 Monte Bello's victory in 2006 (35 years after vintage) demonstrated that these geological advantages translate directly to decades-long aging potential.

Relationships

People

  • Dr. Osea Perrone β€” Founder (1885), built historic limestone winery, established site's viticultural potential
  • William Short β€” Visionary replanter (late 1940s), preserved site during "lost middle" decades
  • Mario Gemello β€” First modern winemaker (1959), proved site quality, attracted Ridge founders
  • Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, Howard Ziedler β€” Ridge founders (1962), purchased from Short
  • Paul Draper β€” Historic winemaker (1969-2016), established Monte Bello's world-class reputation
  • John Olney β€” Current winemaker/CEO (2021-present), maintaining quality and tradition
  • Eric Baugher β€” Ridge winemaker (1994-2022), bridged Draper to current era
  • Lauren Lyall β€” Assistant Winemaker (2025-present), next generation

Wineries

  • Perrone's Monte Bello Winery β€” Original winery (1885-early 1900s), same site
  • Gemello Winery β€” Produced first modern Monte Bello wine (1959)
  • Ridge Vineyards β€” Current owner/operator (1962-present), estate vineyard

Neighboring / Related Sites

  • Klein Ranch β€” Component vineyard of Monte Bello estate
  • Torre Ranch β€” Sole fruit source when Ridge founded (1962)
  • Rousten Ranch β€” Leased vineyard, part of Monte Bello estate
  • Jimsomare Ranch β€” Historic Pierre Klein planting (1888), part of estate
  • Perrone Ranch β€” Historic name for original 180-acre Monte Bello property

Wines from This Vineyard

Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon (1962-Present)

The flagship wine:

  • Typically 70-80% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
  • Aged in American oak
  • Natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts
  • Minimal intervention winemaking
  • Structured for 20-40+ years of aging

Notable vintages:

  • 1971 β€” Won 2006 Judgment of Paris 30-year retrospective (1st place)
  • 1970s-1980s β€” Established reputation for age-worthiness
  • 1990s-2000s β€” International recognition as world-class site
  • 2010s-present β€” Continued excellence under post-Draper winemakers

Recognition:

  • Consistently rated among California's finest Cabernet Sauvignons
  • Collector wine with strong secondary market
  • Benchmark for Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
  • Proof that California mountain Cabernet rivals Bordeaux First Growths

Other Wines

  • Monte Bello Chardonnay β€” Mountain Chardonnay from estate
  • Ridge Estate Cabernet β€” Second label from younger vines or non-Monte Bello blocks

Pre-Ridge Production

  • Perrone's Monte Bello wines (1892-early 1900s) β€” Historic significance, quality unknown
  • 1959 Gemello Monte Bello β€” First modern vintage, proved site quality (extremely rare)

Historical Significance

Monte Bello matters for at least six reasons:

1. World-Class Site Validation

Proved California mountain sites can produce wines equal to Bordeaux First Growths:

  • 1971 vintage's 2006 Judgment of Paris victory (1st place over Mouton, Haut-Brion, etc.)
  • Demonstrated 35-year aging potential equal to finest European estates
  • Established benchmark for California mountain Cabernet
  • Validated mountain viticulture as serious, not merely romantic

2. Site Continuity Across 140+ Years

Represents unbroken recognition of viticultural quality from 1885 to present:

  • 1885: Perrone recognizes potential, establishes vineyard
  • 1892: First vintage confirms quality
  • Late 1940s: Short replants despite decades of abandonment
  • 1959: Gemello proves modern quality
  • 1962-present: Continuous Ridge production

This continuity is exceptionally rare in California wine history and demonstrates the site's enduring viticultural merit.

3. Physical Preservation of History

The 1885 limestone winery still functions as Ridge's production facility:

  • One of California's most significant preserved 19th-century wine structures
  • Working link between pioneer era and modern renaissance
  • Physical manifestation of continuity theme
  • Demonstrates that quality winemaking doesn't require modern architecture

4. Terroir Validation

Proved that place matters in California wine:

  • Consistent quality across 60+ Ridge vintages
  • Site's character evident despite winemaker changes
  • Geology and elevation create distinctive wine profile
  • Established "Monte Bello style" recognizable across decades

5. Bridge Between Eras and Generations

Connected multiple threads in California wine history:

  • Perrone (1885) β†’ Short (1940s) β†’ Gemello (1959) β†’ Ridge founders (1962) β†’ Draper (1969) β†’ current generation
  • Each generation recognized and preserved what the previous generation established
  • Demonstrates importance of continuity figures (Short, Gemello) in preserving historic sites

6. Inspiration for Mountain Viticulture

Monte Bello's success inspired Santa Cruz Mountains renaissance:

  • Proved high-elevation sites could produce world-class wines
  • Encouraged other mountain vineyard development
  • Established Santa Cruz Mountains AVA credibility
  • Created market for premium mountain Cabernet

Current Status

  • Ownership: Ridge Vineyards (Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.)
  • Production: Fully active, flagship estate vineyard
  • Fruit destination: Estate wines (Monte Bello Cabernet, Monte Bello Chardonnay, Ridge Estate wines)
  • Access: Private vineyard, but winery tasting room open to visitors
  • Historic winery: 1885 Perrone limestone building still in production use
  • Acreage: ~95 acres planted (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay)
  • Winemaking team: John Olney (CEO/Head Winemaker), Lauren Lyall (Assistant Winemaker)

Open Questions / Research Leads

  • Perrone's original varietals: What grapes did Perrone plant in 1885? Italian varieties? Mission? Unknown.
  • Perrone era production: Volume, quality, distribution, awards from 1892-early 1900s
  • Abandonment timeline: Exactly when did the vineyard cease production after Perrone? 1910s? 1920s?
  • Short's acquisition: When exactly did William Short purchase the property? Late 1940s is approximate.
  • Short's plantings: Acreage planted, specific rootstock, clonal selections
  • 1959 Gemello production: How many cases? Where was it sold? Critical reception?
  • Ridge founders' motivation: Did they specifically taste or hear about the 1959 Gemello wine?
  • Purchase price: What did Ridge founders pay William Short in 1962?
  • Vineyard expansion timeline: When were Klein, Torre, Rousten, Jimsomare acquired/leased?
  • Soil studies: Detailed geological/pedological analysis of different blocks
  • Elevation variation: Precise elevation range across different vineyard blocks
  • Climate data: Historical weather records, growing degree days, rainfall
  • Limestone winery construction: Architectural details, construction methods, original use
  • Photographs: Historic images of Perrone era, Short era, early Ridge era

Sources

Primary / Near-Primary

  • Ridge Vineyards property records and deeds
  • Perrone family records (if extant)
  • Historic Vineyard Society documentation
  • Original 1885 winery building (physical evidence)
  • Ridge production records (1962-present)
  • Judgment of Paris official documentation (1976, 2006)

Oral History

  • Needed: William Short family interviews (if descendants available)
  • Needed: Ridge founders or their families on 1962 purchase decision
  • Needed: Paul Draper extended oral history on site understanding
  • Needed: Mario Gemello family on 1959 vintage
  • Potential: Long-term Ridge vineyard workers on site evolution
  • Potential: John Olney on site characteristics and winemaking

Secondary

  • Historic Vineyard Society: Monte Bello page
  • Charles L. Sullivan works on Santa Cruz Mountains wine history
  • Judgment of Paris historical accounts and retrospectives
  • Wine books covering California mountain viticulture
  • Ridge Vineyards published histories and timeline

Web / Reference

Confidence Notes

High Confidence

  • 1885 Perrone establishment of vineyard and limestone winery
  • 1892 first Perrone vintage
  • Late 1940s William Short replanting with Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 1959 Mario Gemello first modern vintage from site
  • 1962 Ridge founders purchase from Short
  • 1969 Paul Draper joins Ridge
  • 1971 vintage Judgment of Paris results (1976: 5th; 2006: 1st)
  • Continuous Ridge production 1962-present
  • Current varietal plantings and acreage
  • Elevation approximately 2,600 feet
  • Franciscan greenstone and limestone soils
  • Historic winery building still in use

Medium Confidence

  • Exact timing of "late 1940s" Short replanting
  • Perrone-era varietals and production details
  • Timeline of vineyard abandonment (early 1900s-1940s)
  • Specific influence of 1959 Gemello wine on Ridge founders
  • Complete details of vineyard block acquisitions/leases
  • Soil variation across different blocks

Low Confidence / Needs Verification

  • Perrone's specific motivations for choosing Monte Bello Ridge
  • Quality and reputation of Perrone-era wines
  • William Short's background and winemaking intentions
  • Production volume of 1959 Gemello Monte Bello
  • Purchase price and terms of 1962 Ridge acquisition
  • Detailed geological/pedological analysis
  • Precise elevation variation across vineyard blocks

See Also: