California's Ridge Vineyards Joins Summergate Hong Kong

Summergate Fine Wines is excited to announce the addition of Ridge Vineyards from California to their Hong Kong wine portfolio with effect from 1^st May 2013.

The exceptional terroir of Monte Bello produces some of the most sought-after wines of California. Situated high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, this is California’s coolest Cabernet producing area. The resulting red, Monte Bello, has been called America’s First Growth, as it is the finest example of a classic Bordeaux blend. It achieved iconic status after the 1976 Judgment of Paris and triumphed again in 2006 when Monte Bello Cabernet won first place at the “Judgment of Paris 30^th Anniversary Wine Tasting” held simultaneously in London and California. Its white companion, the Monte Bello Chardonnay rivals some of the best Burgundian Grands Crus. In addition to these two icons, the Estate Cabernet and Estate Chardonnay complete the range of wines coming from the Monte Bello Estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains Appellation.

 

Ridge Vineyards have also established Zinfandel as a true premium varietal through their single-vineyard wines produced from old vines in Geyserville, Alexander Valley (130 years-old) and Lytton Springs, Dry Creek Valley (100 years-old+).  These two vineyards in northern Sonoma County are considered benchmarks for great Zinfandel.

Their viticulture and winemaking philosophy is traditional or “pre-industrial”, as winemaker Paul Draper calls it, based on organic grape-growing, sustainable practices and minimal intervention. “When you have great vineyards that produce high quality grapes of distinctive individual character, this is not only an environmentally and socially responsible approach; it’s also the best way to consistently make fine wine.”

The following wines will be available in Hong Kong, from June 2013:

2010    Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet Blend, Santa Cruz Mountains

2010    Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains

2010    Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

2011    Ridge Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains

2011    Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel Blend, Sonoma County

2011    Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel Blend, Dry Creek Valley

For the first time, Summergate Fine Wines will be releasing Monte Bello futures (en primeur) until June 21^st 2013.  For more information on the 2012 vintage Monte Bello release, please click on http://www.summergate.com/edm/Summergate_Ridge_Monte_Bello_2012_Futures_Release.pdf

Tastings of the 2012 vintage barrel samples will be organized in May and June 2013.

For details on the wines and the estate, please visit www.ridgewine.com More information on these and other wines can be found at www.summergate.com

(This is a press release written by Summergate Fine Wines)