"We actually discovered Ridge while in Oslo, Norway - we had a glass of Pinot Noir at a wine bar there and it was phenomenal. Come to learn that the vineyard is an easy 35min drive from our home!
So we booked a tasting (tastings are by reservation only) to hopefully also buy a bottle of this pinot noir that we fell in love with! We learned that their pinot noir is made in very small batches, and not a single one on the menu this time of year - sure, I'm disappointed, but we're also here to try their other wines.
Our tasting menu included a chardonnay, a 100% zinfandel, their geyserville (~70% zin), and their estate cab. every single wine was fantastic! I would have purchased one of each if they weren't so expensive.
Ridge Vineyards has fantastic wines and I highly recommend them.

I took off 1 star because they seem to be all about exclusivity, in that they really push memberships. at every opportunity, they are mentioning all the things their members get that non-members don't get - from wine lists (an entire front and back menu of wines), to free tastings and exclusive events.
Perhaps because of this, the vibe (from patrons and employees alike) feels... a bit uppity. I don't think you can purchase by the glass (although, to be fair, I didn't not ask - but there are no by the glass prices listed anywhere), which is part of the winery experience that I enjoy - have a tasting, then sit back with a glass and enjoy some more time.

Overall, we did enjoy our time at Ridge. The employees are very knowledgeable and informative, and very attentive. And most importantly the wine is fantastic!"

Hayley

"By appointment only!

I also can't believe one of the premiere vineyards in the world is in my backyard! No less in Cupertino!!! My old stomping grounds, I used to live in Cupertino and never knew about Ridge, always just heard about some vineyard in the hills...lol. The drive to the vineyard was interesting, I felt it was longer that it looked on the map. The Winery sits at the top of hill and cell phone reception becomes nothing but a memory.

Ridge has an incredible history behind it, along with some amazing wines as well. IMHO well worth the tour the staff takes you on. You learn a lot of interesting information about the origin, the vineyard, the wines, the founders and a brief education on Viticulture....very educational and informational.

The wines are most certainly not cheap. Ridge is able to command such prices due to its rich history and extremely successful stint in the wine world. One of the most interesting facts about Ridge: It took fifth among ten French and California wines, at the Paris Tasting in 1976, which later became known as the "Judgment of Paris". THE WINE TASTING event that put California on the map as WINE COUNTRY! 30 years later Ridge did it once again...this time they placed FIRST!!! at the "Judgment of Paris 30th Anniversary Wine Tasting" in London and California, subsequently destroying the old world French wines!!!

I would say the Montebello stands out the most...absolutely brilliant! The winery itself is an amazing place, plenty of room for parties, an excellent tasting room, wonderful views and even a picnic area. Ridge is definitely worth the visit."

Mika'ele Keni'

"First time visiting. The wines are delicious and everyone we encountered was down to earth & chill. It was really hot the day we came so all the tastings were inside, but we were able to walk around and enjoy the views all to ourselves.
Basic tasting was $30/person and they offer cheese & other snacks you can purchase a la carte. They also have a $40 single pour of their Monte Bello Library wine, which was outstanding.
The drive up the mountain is pretty twisty-turny but worth it!"

Maria Bruno