• Type: Winery
• Status: Active
• Founded: 1962
• Founded at: Monte Bello Ridge, Cupertino, California
• Founders: Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, Howard Ziedler (four Stanford Research Institute engineers)
• Region / AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains (primary), also Sonoma, Paso Robles
• Location: 17100 Monte Bello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
• Current Owner: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. (Japan)
• CEO: John Olney (2026)
• Head Winemaker: John Olney (2021-present)
• Historic Winemaker: Paul Draper (1969-2016, 47 years)
• Associated vineyards: Monte Bello (estate), Lytton Springs (estate), Paso Robles (estate), plus contracted vineyards
• Predecessor entity: Perrone Ranch/Monte Bello Winery (1885-1892)
• Historical significance: Flagship Santa Cruz Mountains winery; proved California mountain Cabernet rivals First Growth Bordeaux; 1971 Monte Bello won 2006 Judgment of Paris rematch; embodies continuity from 19th-century site through modern era

Ridge Vineyards, founded in 1962 by four Stanford Research Institute engineers on the historic Monte Bello Ridge site, has become the flagship winery of the Santa Cruz Mountains and one of California's most acclaimed producers. Under legendary winemaker Paul Draper (1969-2016), Ridge established that California mountain Cabernet Sauvignon could rival the finest Bordeaux, demonstrated most dramatically when the 1971 Monte Bello placed first in the 2006 Judgment of Paris 30-year retrospective, beating all First Growth Bordeaux. The winery represents a direct continuation of the Monte Bello site's viticultural history dating to 1885, when Dr. Osea Perrone established the original vineyard and limestone winery. Ridge's commitment to traditional winemaking methods, minimal intervention, and single-vineyard expression has made it a model for quality-focused California winemaking and a bridge connecting 19th-century viticulture to the modern wine renaissance.

• 1885 — Dr. Osea Perrone purchases 180 acres on Monte Bello Ridge, establishes original Monte Bello Winery with terraced vineyards and historic limestone winery building
• 1892 — First vintage from Perrone's Monte Bello Winery
• Late 1940s — William Short replants Cabernet Sauvignon on the historic Monte Bello site
• 1959 — Mario Gemello produces first commercial wine from Monte Bello vineyard using William Short's grapes

• 1962 — Four Stanford Research Institute engineers (Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, Howard Ziedler) purchase historic Monte Bello property from William Short and re-bond the winery; first vintage of flagship Monte Bello Cabernet
• 1969 — Paul Draper joins Ridge as winemaker, beginning 47-year tenure that defines Ridge's reputation
• 1971 — Monte Bello Cabernet vintage that would later win 2006 Judgment of Paris rematch
• 1976 — 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet featured in famous Judgment of Paris tasting, placing 5th among reds
• 1994 — Eric Baugher joins Ridge
• 1996 — John Olney joins Ridge
• 1999 — John Olney becomes Assistant Winemaker/General Manager
• 2001 — John Olney named VP of Winemaking at Lytton Springs
• 2006 — 1971 Monte Bello places 1st in Judgment of Paris 30-year retrospective, beating all First Growth Bordeaux and establishing Monte Bello as world-class vineyard
• 2014 — Michael Bairdsmith joins as winemaker at Lytton Springs
• 2016 — Paul Draper retires after 47 years; Eric Baugher promoted to COO and Monte Bello Winemaker
• 2021 — John Olney named Head Winemaker & COO overseeing all operations
• 2022 — Eric Baugher departs for Merus/Gali Vineyards; Trester Goetting joins as Monte Bello Winemaker (January)
• 2024 — Trester Goetting departs after making 2022 and 2023 vintages
• 2025 — Lauren Lyall promoted from Monte Bello Lab Manager to Assistant Winemaker
• 2026 — John Olney named CEO, continuing as Head Winemaker

The Ridge Vineyards story begins decades before its 1962 founding, rooted in the 19th-century establishment of Monte Bello as a vineyard site.

1885: Perrone Establishes Monte Bello Dr. Osea Perrone, an Italian physician, purchased 180 acres on Monte Bello Ridge and established the original Monte Bello Winery. Perrone terraced vineyards on the steep mountain slopes and built a limestone winery building (which Ridge still uses today). This made Monte Bello one of the pioneering mountain vineyard sites in California.

1892: First Monte Bello Vintage Perrone's Monte Bello Winery produced its first vintage in 1892, establishing the site's viticultural potential.

Late 1940s: William Short's Replanting After decades of abandonment following Prohibition, William Short recognized the site's potential and replanted Cabernet Sauvignon on the historic Monte Bello property.

1959: Gemello Proves the Site's Quality Mario Gemello, master winemaker at Gemello Winery in Mountain View, purchased Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from William Short and produced the first commercial wine from the replanted Monte Bello vineyard. This 1959 Gemello Monte Bello wine proved the site's exceptional quality and attracted attention to the property.

In 1962, four Stanford Research Institute engineers—Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, and Howard Ziedler—purchased the historic Monte Bello property from William Short. They were weekend winemakers seeking quality vineyard land for a serious venture.

The engineers re-bonded the winery and produced their first vintage of Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon. Though not professional winemakers, they understood the site's potential, having likely tasted or heard of Mario Gemello's 1959 Monte Bello wine.

The sequence—Perrone → Short → Gemello → Ridge founders—represents one of the most important continuity threads in Santa Cruz Mountains wine history.

In 1969, Paul Draper joined Ridge as winemaker, beginning a 47-year tenure that would establish Ridge's worldwide reputation.

Draper's Winemaking Philosophy:

• Terroir expression — letting the vineyard speak rather than imposing winemaking techniques
• Traditional methods — natural fermentation, minimal intervention, inspired by 19th-century Bordeaux
• Single-vineyard bottlings — showcasing individual site character
• Age-worthy wines — structured for decades of cellaring
• Pre-industrial techniques — respecting historical winemaking wisdom

This approach aligned with and extended the quality-first philosophy of Martin Ray, applying it systematically to Cabernet Sauvignon and mountain viticulture.

The Judgment of Paris Validation:

1976: Ridge's 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet was selected for the famous Judgment of Paris tasting, placing 5th among the reds—a respectable showing that demonstrated California's potential.

2006: In the 30-year retrospective tasting of the same wines, the 1971 Monte Bello placed 1st, beating all First Growth Bordeaux wines including Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Montrose. This dramatic reversal proved that:

• California mountain Cabernet could age as gracefully as First Growth Bordeaux
• Monte Bello was a world-class vineyard site
• Traditional winemaking methods produced wines for the ages

Expansion and Growth: Under Draper's leadership, Ridge expanded beyond Monte Bello to include:

• Lytton Springs estate in Sonoma (Zinfandel focus)
• Paso Robles estate
• Contracted vineyards throughout California for single-vineyard Zinfandels

Throughout this expansion, Ridge maintained its commitment to traditional methods and single-vineyard expression.

Paul Draper retired in 2016 after 47 years, having established Ridge as one of California's greatest wineries and Monte Bello as an iconic vineyard site.

Ridge has navigated multiple leadership transitions since Draper's retirement:

2016-2022: Eric Baugher (who joined Ridge in 1994) served as COO and Monte Bello Winemaker, maintaining continuity with Draper's philosophy.

2022-2024: Trester Goetting served as Monte Bello Winemaker, producing the 2022 and 2023 vintages before departing.

2021-Present: John Olney, who joined Ridge in 1996 and worked his way through various roles (Assistant Winemaker/GM 1999, VP of Winemaking at Lytton Springs 2001, Head Winemaker & COO 2021), now serves as CEO and Head Winemaker (2026), providing stability and leadership across all Ridge operations.

2025: Lauren Lyall, promoted from Monte Bello Lab Manager to Assistant Winemaker, represents the next generation of winemaking leadership.

Ridge operates as a premium, quality-focused winery under Japanese ownership (Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.) while maintaining its founding principles:

Three Estate Properties:

1. Monte Bello (Cupertino, Santa Cruz Mountains) — Flagship Cabernet estate
2. Lytton Springs (Healdsburg, Sonoma) — Zinfandel estate
3. Paso Robles — Central Coast estate

All three locations feature tasting rooms and host events, making Ridge accessible to visitors while maintaining its focus on quality winemaking.

Flagship wines:

• Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon — Flagship wine, typically Cabernet-dominant Bordeaux blend from estate vineyards
• Home Ranch Cabernet — Second label from younger estate vines
• Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet — Regional blend
• Chardonnay — Mountain Chardonnay from estate
• Merlot — Occasional release

Vineyard components:

• Monte Bello Vineyard — Primary estate plantings
• Klein Ranch — Historic component
• Torre Ranch — Sole fruit source when Ridge founded (1962)
• Rousten Ranch — Leased vineyard
• Jimsomare Ranch — Historic Pierre Klein planting (1888)

Lytton Springs (Sonoma):

• Single-vineyard Zinfandel and Petite Sirah
• Winemakers: Shauna Rosenblum, Michael Bairdsmith (since 2014)

Additional Single-Vineyard Wines:

• Zinfandels from Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Cruz Mountains
• Rhône varietals from selected sites

Ridge maintains traditional winemaking methods established by Paul Draper:

• Natural fermentation with native yeasts
• Minimal intervention in cellar
• Single-vineyard expression prioritized
• American oak (primarily) for aging
• Focus on terroir rather than winemaking technique
• Commitment to responsible winegrowing

Monte Bello Winery:

• Historic limestone winery building (built 1885 by Dr. Perrone, still in use)
• Modern production facilities integrated with historic structure
• Tasting room with panoramic views
• Event hosting capabilities

Lytton Springs:

• Tasting room and production facility
• Event space

Paso Robles:

• Tasting room
• Event hosting

Contact Information:

• Address: 17100 Monte Bello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
• Phone: (408) 867-3233
• Website: http://www.ridgewine.com
• Email: [email protected]

Founders:

• Dave Bennion — Co-founder (1962), Stanford Research Institute engineer
• Hew Crane — Co-founder (1962), Stanford Research Institute engineer
• Charlie Rosen — Co-founder (1962), Stanford Research Institute engineer
• Howard Ziedler — Co-founder (1962), Stanford Research Institute engineer

Historic Winemakers:

• Paul Draper — Winemaker 1969-2016 (47 years), established Ridge's reputation
• Eric Baugher — Joined 1994, COO/Monte Bello Winemaker 2016-2022
• Trester Goetting — Monte Bello Winemaker 2022-2024

Current Team:

• John Olney — CEO (2026), Head Winemaker & COO (2021-present), joined 1996
• Lauren Lyall — Assistant Winemaker (2025-present), promoted from Lab Manager
• Shauna Rosenblum — Lytton Springs Winemaker
• Michael Bairdsmith — Lytton Springs Winemaker (since 2014)

Historical Connections:

• Mario Gemello — Made first Monte Bello wine 1959, proved site quality
• William Short — Replanted Monte Bello late 1940s, sold to Ridge founders
• Dr. Osea Perrone — Original Monte Bello establishment 1885
• Martin Ray — Quality-first philosophy influenced Draper's approach

• Gemello Winery — Made first commercial Monte Bello wine (1959)
• Perrone Ranch/Monte Bello Winery — Predecessor on same site (1885-1892)

• Monte Bello Vineyard — Estate vineyard, flagship site
• Perrone Ranch — Historic name for Monte Bello site (1885-1892)
• Klein Ranch — Component of Monte Bello blend
• Torre Ranch — Sole fruit source when Ridge founded
• Rousten Ranch — Leased vineyard
• Jimsomare Ranch — Historic Pierre Klein planting (1888)
• Lytton Springs — Estate vineyard in Sonoma

• Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association — Member
• Historic Vineyard Society — Monte Bello documented as historic site
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. — Current owner (Japan)

Ridge Vineyards matters for at least six reasons:

Demonstrated that California mountain Cabernet Sauvignon could rival the finest Bordeaux, most dramatically shown when the 1971 Monte Bello:

• Placed 5th in 1976 Judgment of Paris
• Placed 1st in 2006 30-year retrospective, beating all First Growth Bordeaux
• Proved age-worthiness equal to Bordeaux First Growths

This single achievement validated decades of belief in California's mountain vineyard potential.

Represents unbroken viticultural continuity on the Monte Bello site:

• 1885: Perrone establishes vineyard
• 1892: First Perrone vintage
• Late 1940s: Short replants
• 1959: Gemello makes first modern wine
• 1962: Ridge founders purchase property
• 1962-present: Continuous Ridge production

This 140+ year timeline demonstrates the enduring quality of the site and the importance of preserving historic vineyard locations.

Established and maintained commitment to traditional methods:

• Natural fermentation with native yeasts
• Minimal cellar intervention
• Single-vineyard expression
• Pre-industrial techniques
• Terroir-focused rather than winemaker-driven

Paul Draper championed this approach before it became fashionable, influencing generations of California winemakers.

Pioneered focus on single-vineyard bottlings in California, showing that:

• Individual sites have distinctive character
• Blending multiple vineyards can obscure terroir
• Consumers appreciate and will pay for site-specific wines
• Quality comes from the vineyard, not winemaking tricks

This philosophy helped shift California wine away from generic regional blends toward site-specific quality.

Connects 19th-century viticulture to modern renaissance:

• Preserved Perrone's 1885 limestone winery building
• Continued the Monte Bello name and site
• Maintained institutional memory through Gemello connection
• Demonstrated that historic sites retain viticultural value

Ridge showed that California wine history matters and should be preserved, not bulldozed for development.

Put Santa Cruz Mountains on the world wine map:

• Judgment of Paris results brought international attention
• Monte Bello became synonymous with California mountain Cabernet
• Inspired other mountain vineyard development
• Established Santa Cruz Mountains AVA as serious wine region

Without Ridge's success, the Santa Cruz Mountains might have remained a footnote in California wine history.

• Operations: Fully active, producing wines from three estates
• Tasting Rooms: Open at all three estates (Monte Bello, Lytton Springs, Paso Robles)
• Production: Multiple single-vineyard wines from California mountain regions
• Ownership: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. (Japan)
• Leadership: John Olney (CEO, Head Winemaker)
• Philosophy: Maintaining traditional methods and single-vineyard focus established by Paul Draper

• Founding engineers' backgrounds: More detail on Bennion, Crane, Rosen, Ziedler's pre-1962 lives and why they chose winemaking
• Purchase details: Price paid for Monte Bello property in 1962, negotiation with William Short
• Early vintages (1962-1968): Quality, production volumes, distribution before Draper
• Otsuka acquisition: Date purchased, terms, why Japanese pharmaceutical company bought Ridge
• Paul Draper retirement details: Exact circumstances, succession planning, current involvement
• Trester Goetting tenure: Why short tenure (2022-2024)? Where did he go?
• Complete vineyard portfolio: Full list of contracted vineyards beyond estates
• Production volumes: Annual case production by site and wine
• Historic building details: Architectural history of Perrone's 1885 limestone winery
• Oral histories: Interviews with founders (if still living), early employees, Paul Draper

• Ridge Vineyards historical archives
• Corporate ownership records (Otsuka acquisition)
• Property records for Monte Bello site
• Wine labels, vintage records
• Judgment of Paris official documentation

• Needed: Interviews with founding engineers or their families
• Needed: Paul Draper extended oral history on 47-year tenure
• Needed: Eric Baugher on succession and Draper's legacy
• Potential: John Olney on leadership transition
• Potential: Mario Gemello family on 1959 Monte Bello wine

• Historic Vineyard Society: Monte Bello documentation
• Judgment of Paris historical accounts (1976 and 2006)
• Charles L. Sullivan works on Santa Cruz Mountains wine history
• Wikipedia: Ridge Vineyards
• Wine history books covering California mountain viticulture

• Ridge Vineyards official website
• Ridge History page
• Ridge Timeline
• 2024 Monte Bello Assemblage Update
• i-WineReview: Ridge Vineyards Current Releases

• 1962 founding by four Stanford engineers (Bennion, Crane, Rosen, Ziedler)
• 1885 Perrone establishment of original Monte Bello site
• 1959 Mario Gemello first commercial Monte Bello wine
• Paul Draper tenure (1969-2016, 47 years)
• Judgment of Paris results (1976: 5th place; 2006: 1st place)
• Current leadership (John Olney as CEO 2026)
• Three estate properties (Monte Bello, Lytton Springs, Paso Robles)
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical ownership
• Philosophy of traditional methods and single-vineyard expression

• Late 1940s William Short replanting date (approximate)
• 1892 Perrone first vintage date
• Details of Paul Draper's retirement and succession planning
• Complete vineyard portfolio beyond documented estates
• Eric Baugher departure details (moved to Merus/Gali)
• Trester Goetting tenure details and departure reasons

• Exact backgrounds and motivations of founding engineers
• Pre-Draper vintage quality and reputation (1962-1968)
• Otsuka acquisition date and terms
• Complete production volumes by wine and vintage
• Full chronology of vineyard component acquisitions (Klein, Torre, Rousten, Jimsomare)
• Personal details about founders beyond roles as engineers

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See Also:

• Paul Draper — Historic winemaker (1969-2016)
• Mario Gemello — Made first Monte Bello wine (1959)
• Gemello Winery — First producer of modern Monte Bello wine
• Monte Bello Vineyard — Estate vineyard
• William Short — Replanted Monte Bello, sold to Ridge founders
• Perrone Ranch — Original Monte Bello establishment (1885)
• Martin Ray — Quality-first philosophy influenced Draper
• Santa Cruz Mountains AVA — Primary wine region
• Judgment of Paris — Historic tasting validation