Ridge Vineyards Reviews

I visited Ridge Monte Bello to try their famed wine. We did a full flight which was quite good. The view is really something. Though we visited on a hot day, the breeze and shaded area were cool enough. Don't forge to hike up to the top for an amazing view!

If you want to visit a local winery Ridge is one of the best in SC County. They are a short ride from Cupertino into the hills. I've purchased Ridge wine for several years.

Ridge Vineyards is a favorite of mine and has been one of the most consistently good wineries that I've known for at least 20+ years. The Montebello and the Lytton Springs are my personal favorite wine labels. If you want to visit a good winery with character, then it's worth the drive past Stevens Creek Reservoir and up the windy mountain road. You will be rewarded with immaculate views of the Santa Clara Valley and well landscaped grounds - complete w/shaded picnic tables and beautiful flora and fauna. The rustic looking cabin is the wine tasting room and you can enjoy some of the best wine blends that California can produce. Their robust event calendar includes "First Fridays" and wine pairing events (the next one I am attending is a BBQ and wine pairing - with regional BBQ styles spanning St. Louis/Memphis Ribs to Texas Brisket (YUM!). Make sure you bring a designated driver!!

Visited both their tasting rooms on consecutive days. At Lytton Springs the pours were generous and the server spent nice 1:1 time with us. Not so at the Cupertino location. Really tiny pours and the server going through the motions even though there were only two other people in the tasting room.

Ridge in Sonoma county was on our list to visit but when friends we stopped to see in San Jose said they were wine club members here and wanted an outing, we drove up for the afternoon.The place is quite nice for its views but a rather difficult drive to reach. Moreover, for the tasting we were not offered anything special. Don't know if that is because we were guest of the club members, which meant free, had a weak host or it is simply that way. Whatever, it was very unimpressive. Ridge has a good reputation but we tasted nothing we wanted to buy.

So while the Santa Cruz Mtns do provide some solid wine grapes, look to Ridge's other vineyards scattered across the state (Sonoma, Paso, etc) for the incredible wines and subtle nuances that Ridge offers.

I can't say I've yet to have a bad Zin (Pagani and Lytton Springs are two faves!), and if you can get a staff member to pour you a taste of their Monte Bello Rsv... love at first sip!

Ridge has been getting into some Rhone varietals in recent years, and while I haven't tried them. I can only imagine they're just as good as the rest of their offerings.

Views are great, the picnic area is wonderful, and the rustic tasting room offers a bit of respite from the crazed pace of Silicon Valley just a few miles away...

a MUST DO for locals and visitors alike.

It is a long haul up a windy road, but the view is absolutely worth it. Ridge makes excellent Zinfandel wine, and is equally proud of the stuff, so don't expect it to be cheap. There are mulitple Zins and can go from average to excellent depending on which vineyard produced the grape. Unfortunately even the average Zin is expensive. They get five stars for location and three stars for the wine (average four).

My wife and I visited the vineyard in July during a trip to the Napa Valley area. Years ago we had purchased a case of Ridge Zinfandel wine and enjoyed them. We put some away to age and discussed our impressions of these wines (8 years old and 11 years old) during the visit. We had a very informative discussion about storing and aging our wines and signed up to join the winery's Z Club. Our experience with Ridge wines has been very positive. It is a well run organization that produces very fine wines. The 8-year old wine was fantastic but the 11-year old wine was, to my taste, beginning to fade. It's nice that each Ridge wine is labelled with an estimate of the aging potential of the wine. We just received our first shipment of wine and expect to enjoy it for years to come.

It's a ways up in the Santa Cruz mountains along the winding Monte Bello road to Ridge but worth every twisting corner. Fabulous wines and knowledgeable staff insure a wonderful experience. The 2012 Monte Bello received a 98 point rating and is spectacular.

Been awhile since we've been here, but it sure didn't disappoint! The new tasting area is fantastic, we choose to sit outside, our pourer was great and the wine was awesome! The drive up the hill can be a challenging, but well worth it!

A lovely mountain top location with a commanding view of Silicon Valley. Ample space inside and out for wine tasting. Friendly and very knowledgeable staff. Of all the wineries I’ve been to over the years, this is the first one where I enjoyed every wine that I sampled. And their flagship cab was to die for.

For $30 per person, you get the Estate Tasting and vineyard tour. That includes a wine making lesson on what makes this vineyard unique, a geology lesson on what makes the wine unique to this area, as well as a very delicious wine tasting flight with expert tasting notes, as well as snacks, and an amazing view of Silicon Valley. Pack up a picnic, take the tour, and enjoy the views for an all-afternoon experience.

Pours aren't very generous and it's a long drive up, but you're rewarded with an amazing view. Nice picnic area so bring up some food.

We purchased a "Passport" book for free wine tastings at many Santa Cruz Wineries. We went to 4 wineries and this review is for Ridge Vineyards only - the only winery with such rules.

Staff was very polite as they told us their rules for Passport holders: 1) no outside wine can be consumed on the premises; 2) We could only taste wine from a particular area in the tasting room; 3) Wine could only be drunk in the tasting room, that is, you could not bring your wine glass to the picnic area or sit in the covered patio area (even if it was empty).

I totally agree with Rule #1, but I do think that Rules 2 and 3 should have been made clear on the Ridge info sheet in the Passport, such as Passport holders will be denied access to members' areas.

As for the setting, it is beautiful! As for the wine, they were tasty, but the experience left us leaving as soon as we were done. Perhaps, that was the reason for the rules.

4* Ridge Winery
17100 Montebello Rd
Cupertino, CA 95014

Phone number
(408) 867-3233
Great place for wine tasting on the weekend. Please be considerate about toting your children and animals to the winery. Courtesy and safety.
Two levels of tasting $5 and $10
$10 additional to taste the exclusive Monte Bello wine
The wines themselves are not cheap
Friendly staff
Several tasting stations, indoors and out
Water (and food) for purchase
Great picnic setting with beautiful views
People buy wine and eat at the picnic tables
Would recommend, although the drive up the hill is challenging

Ridge is a landmark winery in Sonoma. fabulous zinfandels, rhone varietals, cabs, etc. if you are near lytton springs road, stop in.

I gave a monthly subscription to my husband a couple years ago. It's always a treat when it arrives. For nice dinners at home, or perfect for bringing to friends for parties and dinners.

We had an absolute ball hanging out with Janet for our wine tasting. She did a fantastic job from a service and explanation standpoint, but she also gave amazing suggestions the entire visit. I wish she could have sat down and drank with us. The wine was fantastic, the service impeccable.

we arrived without reservations, and on the week, so we could not enjoy the tasting of the wines, but we were cordially shown around the place, the amazing views of the valley , and given a good history of the owners, the company and the provenience of the grapes. nicely done!

The Monte Bello sire has a "quaint" tasting room with history of the winery on the walls. Basically Reds from their different regions. I've not had one of their Reds that I didn't like. They can be a little pricey ($25 to $50 or more). Pack a lunch, buy a bottle and enjoy a wonderful view of Silicon Valley. Drive is not for the weak of heart.

Wonderful view of the south bay. Bring a picnic lunch and buy a bottle of their wine!

This winery was beautiful w lots of seating and beautiful views. We did not try the wine. Lots of space for a picnic. Lots of children were playing.

Loved the wine tasting there.

We came here straight from airport and we had a great wine tasting session (with bread and cheese as well) here along with a tour of the property.

Great value and great people. Just loved it.

These folks make really good wine. They also have a first Friday wine tasting for members which is a fun way to hang out with some friends and enjoy the atmosphere, and learn about the wines that are being tasted. It is a bit of a windy drive to get to the winery, but worth it.

I really love their new tasting area, you can either taste inside or they now have seating outside. Can beat the fresh air! We really enjoyed out tasting and ended up with a few bottles for the road. The pourer was great and had a lot of information he shared with us. It is a bit of a drive up the hill, but well worth it!

Ridge Winery, Cupertino location, provides a very attractive view of Silicon Valley from it’s deck and tasting area. The tasting room staff are very professional and offer insight into the wineries locations, vineyard plots, and the blending of the wines. Most wines are blends with majority being a cab or zin blending with a few lessor know grapes that add character. We enjoyed are visit and tastings, meet a few new friends there as well. As for pricing, I’ll leave that to you to decide. Explore and enjoy

Remarkable history of this winery, fostered by extraordinarily talented owners, has developed over 50 years - a top rated Cabernet Sauvignon named Monte Bello. We enjoyed a private hosted tasting last week atop the winding road to Ridge. The hospitality was incomparable and the wines we tasted were splendid. There is a tasting room, a covered picnic area, parking available and of course restrooms. Wines and merchandise are available for sale, as well as wine memberships. We loved our visit!

The trip here is an interesting hairpin climb. We brought a picnic and a bottle of wine and enjoyed the view and ambience. We didn't get to do the wine tasting as we came on a day that you needed bookings for private sessions.

If you love wine and vineyards, I can't imagine you will find a better place to visit than Ridge. Perched on one of the highest peaks in the area, the grounds and view are spectacular. Our tasting of 6 wines was hosted by a very engaging and friendly young man named Peter, who also lead us on a tour through some of the vineyards. This was most certainly the highlight of my long weekend in California.

Bring a picnic lunch, enjoy a wine tasting and excellent views of the bay area. Leave the kids at home. Join the ATP club.

I took my cousin and her husband here when they visited us. They wanted to visit a winery but did not want to make the two hour trek to Napa. Ridge is just 35-45 minutes from our house. The drive itself was pretty, affording nice views of the valley. The view from Ridge Vineyard is also very beautiful (since it is on a ridge!!) and they have a very pretty garden with native plants where they also have picnic benches. It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon- go in and taste their wines, buy a bottle and have it with a picnic you bring along - some cheese, crackers etc. The person who did the pours for us for just lovely. He told us about the wines and what was special about each. We learned some very interesting details. His pours were generous compared to some other people we have had pour and combined with the information he shared with us, it made for a very enjoyable afternoon.

Ridge belongs to the best wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains and they really delivers. Their reds are outstanding no matter the vintage and the whites are great as well. What might hurt a little bit are some price tags.

If you like to combine your visit with a picnic bring some food since Ridge has a nice picnic area below the vineyards. To stretch your legs after the break I encourage you to walk up the little hill to enjoy the beautiful view over Silicon Valley. If you are lucky and the sky is clear you even can see San Francisco’s skyline from the top.

Just make sure you have a designated driver because the way to and from Ridge along Montebello Road can be adventurous!

+ big red wines,
+ scenic vantage point over the valley,
- curvy mountain road

The drive up there is adventurous. But once you get there and see the views your jaws will drop down. And remember so far you haven't tasted their wines. Ridge is famous for Zinfandel. But my favorite Ridge wine is Montebello. Even members have to pay extra to taste it but the $10 is totally worth it. They do not serve any food there so take some food, buy a bottle or two of wine, and have a picnic. Yes they do have picnic tables.

Always a favorite wine and winery. You can't get better wine or a more beautiful setting. Winery staff are gracious and willing to provide recommendations for lunch, dinner or other interesting activities.

Frankly we thought the views from the trail by the vineyard were better than the wines at the winery. The best thing about Ridge wines is that they are widely available on the internet at discount prices, so if you do like one of their wines you can find it easily.

We passed a dozen cyclists heading up Montebello road... they are nuts. The driving was tough enough. And after a couple glasses of wine, was even slower on the way down... ;)

Ridge is epic. Monte Bello is one of the iconic American wines.... totally worth the trip. We hit it up before we headed back to SFO for the flight back.

Sam did a nice job of telling us about the winery's history, the grapes grown, how the wines are made, and about the wines we were served. The five tastings were also served with two cheeses, as well as bread. The wine pours were very uneven, with some getting very little compared with other wineries' tastings. The wines were quite good, especially the Chardonnay. The 2007 Monte Bello Cab was also very good, but how many tasters are going to buy a $160 bottle of wine that's comparable in taste to far less expensive Cabs from other wineries? Also, beware that the location, while lovely, is remote and accessible only via winding, narrow mountain roads. There are a LOT better places to taste nice wines in the Saratoga and Santa Cruz regions for a lot less money. We really couldn't recommend this winery for tastings unless they lower the cost to about half of what they presently charge. For $30/person for five skimpy tastings, Ridge is way over-priced.

We love Ridge Chardonnay, therefore it was obvious to visit the Vinyard and make a tasting there. It was even much better than expected. The tasting was the best we ever have done, because of the explanations and background stories we got. The location is wonderful, too!

well - for us - it was a sojourn, a required visit. we have loved ridge wines for decades, and we had never been to Monte Bello. Both the Lytton Springs and Monte Bello locations are wonderful. the wines are excellent, but the tour and tasting we had a monte bello was amazingly beautiful.

I have been a subscriber to Ridge's various wine clubs for years. So, an occasional visit is in order once in a while. I have always been impressed with the intelligence and knowledge of the staff we met. The views of the Valley are amazing. Pick a clear day if you can, bring a picnic and enjoy. The wines are very good value and consistently delicious. They can make group accommodations if you call in advance.

Getting to Ridge is definitely part of the fun. Steep, winding, and stimulating. The tasting room is beautifully located with great views for a post tasting picnic. With a long history of great wines, Ridge Montebello should rate a historical marker. All good reasons to visit, but the real reason is the wines which are consistently excellent. And, as should be, the tasting room staff is knowledgeable, personable, and informative. A must for wine afficianados.

Ridge wines are amongst the top wines around California, there is no doubt. The tasting we attended showed us the great quality of some of their wines. Whether a fresh crisp white, the rose (a new edition to their selection) or any of the excellent red wines all mesmerize you with their complexity and their body.
The surrounding high up on the ridge is so wonderful ad you have a view of the valley all the way to SF. It is off the beaten path but worth to meander up the hill.

We came to Cupertino from the East Coast to see our dear friends but also to visit Ridge vinery. We have been drinking their wine for a long time. We arrived early for our tasting on purpose. We wanted to have a picnic at one of their shaded tables. Of course, we bought a few glasses of their fabulous wine to go with the food and the beautiful view. A great memory in itself. Tasting was superb, adequate amount of wine for tasting, the information extensive, all questions answered with great knowledge and intelligence. No surprise there, their wines are that quality too! The tour of the vineyard wonderful. We highly recommend visiting this winery.

Beautiful surroundings, great for picnics....
Staff was friendly and took good care of us even during a busy time.
Most importantly, their wine is good. I really liked their 2005 Cabernet. Bottle was a bit pricey, but the sampling was great.

The drive to the top of the mountain where Ridge Vineyards sits is a bit harrowing, but once at our destination, we had a lovely time. The walk-in tasting was very laid back, very generous pours, and the hostess was great. Very sold wines, and the 2015 Monte Bello should age to be an outstanding wine.The view outside of the valley below is so breath-taking as well. We had such a nice time, we ending up joining one of the Wine Clubs.

Perched at the end of the winding and scenic climb is one of the finest Vineyards I've ever been to! We did a tour of the winery and vineyards and tasted 5 amazing wines including the Montebello.

Ridge Winery - What you Need to Know
1) This winery is at the tippy top of a long and winding road up to the tippy top of a ridge. So go slowly, look for bicyclists, and enjoy the views! This drive is not for the faint of heart.
2) This is an IDEAL place for a weekend picnic. Ridge has a free picnic area with about 7 picnic tables for your use ...HOWEVER they now have rules they put in place in 2016.
3) The tables can be used for free if you leave within 2 hours - they are not meant for you to camp out all day -- 2 hours is ample time for a picnic.
4) Ridge now places a sort of 'concierge' outside near the tables who gives you a laminated card of the new rules, and watches over the activities. He/She also keeps track of your time.
5) The picnic tables and winery opens at 11:00AM on weekends, get there early, for example at 11:00 when the gates open to be sure you get a table.
6) The tables in the back, with their own umbrella are best, as the tables in the front get FULL SUN even though there is a covering over them, the covering doesn't block out the sun, so get a table with an umbrella.
7) Beware of the wasps! In the fall, wasps come out in search of protein. The good news is they don't bite you.... the bad news is they want cheese, and meat-- exactly what you brought on your picnic. I suggest a bug swatter that actually kills them. They are plastic and look like a child's tennis racquet. The wasp lands on it and dies quickly and you can just flick it off to the ground. These wasps are annoying.
8) Ridge won't let you bring someone else's wine to these tables and has someone patrolling the tables, so don't try it! Best to go to a public picnic area if you want to drink wine other than Ridge's. You can go inside and buy a bottle of wine or enjoy a wine tasting.
9) Ridge will supply the wine opener you can borrow along with wine glasses you can borrow.
10) A big, clean bathroom is available along with plenty of trash / recycle cans.
11) If you decide to do a wine tasting, there are private tasting rooms (by appointment only) along with a tasting hall with multiple tastings going on and a place to sit outside where you can enjoy your wine that isn't the picnic tables I've talked about.

All in all it's a great way to spend your Saturday morning, just be aware of the rules and follow them so we don't ruin it for everybody ;)

It is worth the drive just for the views. The picnic tables are a nice touch and the vineyard employees are friendly. Clean restrooms.

First visit to this winery. Tried two different flights to share including top shelf montebello Cab ($175/ bottle).
Amazing that every wine was different. We really liked two. Geyserville Zin blend and their Montebello Cab. The tasting room is very pedestrian. Staff are very nice and knowledgeable. View from hilltop is remarkable.
The Geyserville was $38 bottle but at Safeway you can get for $28 with six bottle discount. Go figure.

I first went to this winery with some of my co-workers and I wasnt a red wine drinker at all. I left a wine club member. Needless to say the selection of Red Wine is impressive and they also have some great white wines as well. Another perk is a beautiful view of the valley on a clear day.

I booked to have a for the estate tasting. I rocked up a little bit late as I had no idea that the road to the vineyards was so steep and winding. (Give yourself extra journey time)

Luckily as it turns out I was the only one booked on the tasting so I had a private tasting and tour. My guide was incredibly knowledgeable and we had a great walk through the vineyard looking at the different vines and growth patterns.

Of course the wine itself was divine and it was paired with lovely cheese.

I definitely think it's worth paying that little bit extra for the tasting as you get a lot for your money.

Pros:
- Great wine
- Great View (of nature and Silicon Valley)
- Picnic area

Cons:
- Not the best serving arrangement. It gets very crowded but I feel they could do a better job of having more open serving tables.
- Drive down is a bit annoying (especially if you drink - don't drink and drive)
- Rattlesnakes

Note:
- Picnic area could be crowded. (Again, I do appreciate that they let us Picnic there)

A terrific wine tasting experience. Excellent Zinfandels! The view of the South Bay from up there is stunning. A great place to take a sandwich etc. and open a bottle and enjoy in their outdoor seating spots.

We wound our way up to this vineyard having visited another further down (Savannah Chanelle) and were impressed again. The vineyard is open for drop-ins on Saturday and Sunday, with stunning views, plenty of knowledgeable staff and good wines. You can choose between a $10 and $5 tasting flight. They are also very happy for you to take a picnic up and enjoy the scenery. Better than the commercial funfair that Napa Valley has become any day!

Ridge produces some of the best Zinfandels. I'm a big fan and the last time I was there I subscribed to to their Z-list wine mebership to receive two shipments of their wines a year.

Rising high above Stevens Creek Reservoir along a steep and seemingly obscure road rests Ridge Vineyards. You’re greeted with panoramic and awe-inspiring views that overlook the entire South Bay metropolis.

Being on top of the world has its advantages, at Ridge Vineyards, stellar wines one is one of those advantages.

Definitely worth the adventure and drive!

We were unaware that there were any vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains until our daughter informed us of her visit to Ridge Vineyards. We decided to pack a picnic lunch and go visiting. I contacted Ridge by email to see if we could visit on a weekday, which was the only day we had available. Understandably, there was some pause, given that they are not set up for visitors on a weekday except by reservation. Tom Carson assisted us in making an appointment, so we gathered our picnic lunch and headed up Montebello Road out of Cupertino.

Tom met us before we entered the tasting room, and suggested we first walk up the knoll to take in the view of the Bay and Santa Clara Valley -- wow! The view is incredible, and alone was worth the trip. We could see 180 degrees from the City down to San Jose and Los Gatos.

In the tasting room, we were assisted by Allison and Israel who are both very knowledgeable and helpful. We tasted a variety of wines including several Zinfandels, Petit Syrah, and Cabernets. They were lovely. The granddaddy is the Monte Bello (Bourdeaux blend) and I lightened my wallet to purchase several bottles. They will be cellared for a few years and then savored. And after they are gone, I will wish I had purchased several more.

Thanks to the Ridge folks for being such nice hosts and making such fine wine. We will be visiting your Lytton Springs location when next we are in Sonoma County.

This vineyard has gorgeous views, if you can navigate the drive up safely. The road to this is a bit daunting, very narrow, for the most part one lane, and winding road that has both car and bike traffic. However, once you get up there the grounds are spectacular.

The tasting room is very nice, all wood and glass. It was very crowded when we visited but the staff quickly found our group of four a place and were very attentive even though we were not at the main serving area. The wines were not to my liking but the staff did an excellent job explains the wines and the history.

After our tasting we took some time to walk their paths and take advantage of their views. It was well worth the drive just for these views.

"Monte Bello" is one of two beautiful estates owned by Ridge Vineyards. You can buy famous Zinfandel ($40.00) at the shop there. Note that this zinfandel is produced in the other estate (Lytton Springs) so you may want as well to buy Cabernet ($60.00) produced here in Monte Bello.

great views, 7 miles long windy road to top. Silicon Valley below. gorgeous on a clear day. Nice wine tasting experience.

Don't bother, long trip for worst wine tasting I have ever attended. Arrived early told to wait outside for 40 minutes in 90 degree heat although the A/C lounge area inside was free. Finally allowed in to a sip of white wine and tour of vineyard Wherein host could only answer basic information. Returned to taste 2 additional reds with a tiny slice of cheese and 2 tiny pieces of crustini with olive paste. . We were advise to keep one of these little pieces for the following 2 reds! Host went out and returned with bread crumbs on her face and clothes so maybe she was eating where we were not. Handed a wine list with prices, requested to taste one of the wines on the list ($28.00 a bottle nothing special) and was told NO it wasn't open. Not a real tasting experience if could not try anything on list, only the 5 wines they decided to OPEN!! So for $30.00 a person it was a miserly dissapointing experience. We were required to book ahead and asked about dietary requirements and if a special occasion. Why ask???? We mentioned it was a 50th birthday but nothing done. Huge disapointment even if we weren't required to pay 30.00 - generally I would expect this type of tasting would be free of charge but would still receive a poor rating.

The views are amazing. Great place to spend a birthday or a father's day but the wine is too expensive and average.

Consistently great wine at a reasonable price. Fun, tasty events. A great place to take house guests who enjoy fine wine and a great view of the valley.

We didn’t know this winery basically in our backyard, yet, we joined as member after visiting it once - you will never disappointed at any of their wine ranging from Zin, Chardonnay to their famous Monte Bello Cab - no wonder they won the first place from “judge of Paris” in 1976 and 2006 respectively !
You have to visit this place if you are in the neighborhood

I have been a Ridge member (basically all the wine clubs) for many years. The staff at Ridge has always be helpful and efficient with respect to business gifts, and tasting visits. Ridge has provided tastings at the Monte Bello facility and in Sonoma. As for the wine, it is consistent and consistently excellent. In this day of over the top cult wines, priced for collection rather than consumption, it's nice to have one producer providing interesting wines and good values. I strongly urge folks to try the ATP, which provides you with unusual varietals, made in small amounts. It's a great way to broaden your wine experience and build a little cellar.

Most importantly the wines were delicious but the service too was excellent - knowledgeable and unpretentious. We did a tasting that included a walk into the vineyard and a tasting of the Monte Bello. Amazing views over the valley and lovely to see the clouds roll through the late morning into clear skies. All of our party enjoyed - maybe excluding the driver who was a little queasy from the windy drive up!

Beautiful views, excellent wines, they have a nice picnic area where you can go and hang out with family and/or friends.

Great staff; nice tasting room and outdoor picnic area; amazing wines. I would definitely recommend if you love heavy reds. Family and pet friendly.

Their wines compete with the best of CA wines. It doesn't get any better in Napa or anywhere in California than the reliably excellent wines at Ridge.
Go for a tasting, pack a picnic lunch or just some cheese & crackers, and sit on the top of the world, sipping their rapturous wines.

And of course stellar wines. I went for an afternoon tasting and really enjoyed it. It was a little hard to find but the instructions on their confirmation were clear but the road is very windy with big drops.

On arrival I was greeted by Lauren and we tried our first wine and had a short tour of the vineyard. It is stunning and Lauren was knowledgeable and helpful. We went into a great tasting room and tried 4 more wines with some brilliant cheeses and water. The wines are a must for serious winos and Lauren was a great host.

Go you won't regret it.

Thank you.

This is the real "bottle shock" winery. Their reds are remarkable, the view spectacular and the surroundings a true ridge experience

"The annual World's Most Admired Wine Brands report has been released and Ridge Vineyards is the top-rated American winery, and ranked #11 overall in the world." Pure Mastery is how I'd described their process, delivering the finest Zinfandels, among other noteworthy wines. Many of these wines are worthy of cellaring for special occasions. These folks get it right, year after year after year! I'm a happy customer!

It is quite the long and winding road to get here, but it is magnificent and worth the trip.

The wines really are very good, although a bit pricey. More of a special occasion purchase for our budget.

But, the staff were all very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable but not pretentious.

We were here on Easter, and one of the staff had on a t-shirt that said "Jesus drank wine" which I found delightfully amusing and appropriate for the day.

I recommend bringing a lunch or snacks. They only serve wine tastings and it would have been nice to have been able to try the wines with some different foods.

Great classic vineyards.
Very good tastings and love the tasting notes.
I have bought many a bottle from them that have turned out to be among the best at our dinner get together a.

A curly and scenic drive up to the ridge leads to a nice pretty small vineyard with views of Silicon Valley. Great wine tasting flight with very knowledgeable staff.

We love Ridge wines and have been tasting club members for a few years. However, when we drive to Monte Bello to pick up,our wines we are not allowed to bring our well-behaved small dogs into the picnic area. There is no sign that tells you this. Today in the half hour we were there we watched 4 people like ourselves be turned away - and all the dogs were well behaved. Do we pay around $600 a year for the pleasure of this membership but we canno enjoy a glass of wine and a picnic when we go to the winery. This is winery policy, not California or local state law. Those who don't have dogs are probably laughing or scoffing, but those of us who are members and want to have a nice day in the sun with after driving many miles up the Peninsula find this very frustrating and disappointing. Perhaps management could explain why this policy? Other outdoor seating restaurants and wineries in the area don't have this policy.

Some of the best views over Silicon Valley. Worth a visit just for that. But the wine is the main event naturally. Busy at the weekends and great picnic spot

Ridge is the one winery which can always be counted on for quality, service and value. I don't think they've ever made a bad bottle of wine.

A friend who lives locally took us to Ridge unannounced and they were happy to let us taste there reds. Some lovely Zinfandel wines and of course their famous Montebello. Lovely spot on top of a hill with views over San Jose valley.

We signed up for a $30 per person tasting experience which we enjoyed even though we thought it a little pricey. This tasting included their Monte Bello blend which is a real treat. The tour guide was informative but the presentation seemed to be somewhat "canned" as some of her areas of knowledge were limited. The grounds are beautiful.

We actually enjoyed more a visit two years prior at their facility in Sonoma County for the low-cost tasting there. Their wines are all good and many are widely available.

We had such a good time with family celebrating mother’s day a little early. This place has picnic tables atop a hill in Cupertino. Views are fabulous. Took our own cheese and crackers and light sandwiches .got the wine from the winery. People are very friendly.
We don’t have to fight traffic and distance to go to Napa !! Great find.

As we drove our rented Mustang for what seemed like miles up the switchbacks, I started to wonder whether this was a good idea, but the view from the top was stunning, the wine impressive and our host -- a retired techology company CEO -- added a fascinating history lesson to the tasting. We had recently watched the movie Bottle Shock in which Ridge Vineyards plays a role, but the film was actually shot elsewhere. The maps and stories that our host shared -- plus a taste of the winning wine -- really appealed to us.

Worth the trip up Montebello Road for the views alone, despite tasting great wines.

Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. The tasting room was in the weeds. The weather was great too. We were standing around because there was no space at the tasting counter. Wonderful host, Ashley, brought out the tasting menu and offered flights on the fly as we stood in the middle of the room. We accepted and had a great time.

The wines are more Euro style, not my taste. So the experience (and view) are great, I went home without a bottle.

First and foremost, Ridge wines are world know and some of the best from California. Their Montebello, a blend of cabernet, merlot and sometimes Cab Franc is one of the wines that put California on the world stage. I get an allocation every year. But visiting the vineyard, which is several thousand feet above Silicon Valley is a fun outing. You can taste wines in the tasting room and then take a bottle to picnic. The wines are not cheap but they are good value considering the quality and somewhat less than equivalent wines from Napa or Sonoma counties. The views are very nice. Just know that the road leading up to it is narrow, winds around and attracts bike riders, so be careful driving and don't overdo the drinking.

My best friend took my to this vineyard for a wine tasting. The trip was pretty cool. The roads were thin and dangerous but the views were great. When we made it to the top the views were amazing. The air was perfect. We tried all of there best wines. We had a great time. I would love to go again.

I was there for a business seminar, and the staff was warm and wonderful. Food service was great and their wine was excellent. The road up the mountain to the location was very winding, and you probably will need a GPS as very easy to get lost. The vineyard has a wonderful view down into the silicon valley, especially when it's not misty.

Enjoyed the wines here, in an old rustic-style tasting room (complete with rattlesnake warnings outside). Staff member guiding us was pleasant and knowledgeable. Would have rated higher, but was extremely disappointed to be charged a tasting fee even though I purchased a dozen bottles. I perfectly understand tasting fees as a means for discouraging those who just treat wineries as a place to head for a free swill, but most will waive them on the customer making a meaningful purchase. Not to do so puts short-term profits ahead of customer loyalty, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth (pun not intended).

At the last minute arranged a casual tasting for a Friday afternoon. Arrived at the vineyard after a stunning drive up the Santa Cruz mountains and stopped into the reception hall. We met Leonard who redirected us to the casual tasting area and walked us there. We had a nice conversation and he introduced us to Amy, oops, no Nancy, well not exactly, our wine hostess was actually named Nathalie and she was very well versed in the wines. The tasting lasted about a half hour with Leonard staying around for a bit to share some of his knowledge of the vineyards history which is fascinating. The wines were all wonderful, though a bit frustrating at the same time. The quality and age worthiness of Ridge wines mean they don't really open up, nor are fully enjoyable for years. That said, the trip was well worth the visit and we had a fantastic afternoon. Thank you again Michael Foley for making this possible.

Had a fantastic time at Ridge! The drive up was really fun; the tasting room was great, with gorgeous and plentiful outdoor seating; our host, Larry, was very knowledgeable and easy-going; and we ended our already-excellent tasting with a pour of the 2011 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon.. I almost wish I hadn't tried it it was so wonderful. All-around excellent experience. Go immediately =)

Great wine, especially Zinfandel. Spectacular views, great picnic area.

We liked it, and we would definately buy the wine.

I'd read lots of reviews about the drive here; honestly if you are European this is a breeze, wide roads up a winding hill. If you are used to American roads it may be a little more challenging, but certainly not a reason to visit.
The views are stunning, with lovely picnic areas to enjoy the views at your leisure. Like many we bought the passport menu ($10/$15) for four samples. These are served by the bar with friendly staff who talk you through the prodution (Only bottles and half bottles can be taken out to the picnic areas).
A few hours is here is really good for the soul!

This was an awesome place to check out, highly recommend the tour! We ended up signing up for 2 wine clubs and have already begun to enjoy.

Recently my husband and I drove up a very curvy road, in the rain and some sleety snowflakes, to visit Ridge Vineyards. We felt this was one of the best tasting experiences we've ever had. Rosalee Norona was an excellent host with a great knowledge of the history of the vineyards and the wines themselves, which are award winning and second to none. We were the only people at the winery at that time so asked lots of questions which she was well prepared to answer.
This visit was an excellent experience. We particularly enjoy reds and every wine we tasted was wonderful. Also, we enjoyed the appetizer plate served during our tasting.
Highly recommended! Both the wines produced by this vineyard, and the tasting itself.

It's a long way uphill, its a dangerous drive back down hill, but it is worth it. The range is all remarkable, but the Chardonnay and the Monte Bello ($200+/bottle) is out of this world.

Monte Bello is their signature - absolutely a delicious wine one of the best in our region. Winery is beautiful location and

I am still new to this Silicon Valley area of the bay and I am delighted to discover that there are wineries here too! You do not have to drive all the way to Napa, Lodi, or Amador County! There is some more exploring I have to do!

The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and not in a we are trying to sell you type of way, but more of we literally know what we are talking about.. pull up a seat and get educated sort of way..

The views this location offers are pretty awesome. Nice reality check of the area and the beauty of the hustling and bustling area. I suggest bringing up your own picnic items, purchasing a bottle and connecting with friends over a wonderful afternoon. Just far enough to have a nice get away, but not far enough that splitting a Lyft would be outrageous. No drinking and driving ya'll, we need to live to review another day.

My husband and I have been members of their tasting club for years. This is a wonderful place for a picnic and wine tasting.

Great place to visit. Good wine. Drive is a bit windy but clean air, blue skies, friendly people and very nice location.

Had a wonderful time at Ridge, great Zinfandels & Cabs to cellar or drink straight away. Lovey outdoor space. Super reasonable tasting fees, fees do not go toward wine purchases. Light fare for purchase.

Excellent wine. Great view (you can see almost all of Silicon Valley). Good place for companionship.