Ridge 2011 Sonoma Three Valleys Ridge Vineyards history begins in 1885 when Osea Perrone, a prominent Italian doctor in San Francisco, purchased 180 acres of land near the top of Monte Bello ridge. Perrone terraced the slopes, planted vineyards and constructed the Monte Bello Winery, producing the first vintage in 1982. In the 1940’s, William Short purchased the abandoned winery and vineyards just below Perrone’s property and planted new vines. From there a number of partnerships were formed with the surrounding vineyards, mostly by individuals with Stanford Research Institute credentials, up until 1986 when the Japanese pharmaceutical company Otsuka became the owners. The Ridge team is still more like a…
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Shafer 2010 Relentless Napa Valley We went to visit my sister-in-law Cindy, who is recuperating from a bad fall that broke her shoulder. I wanted to make her dinner and bring a nice bottle of wine, so I reached for Shafer’s Relentless. Shafer is an outstanding Napa Valley winery that makes exceptional wines. Shafer’s beginnings trace back to 1972, when publishing industry veteran John Shafer move to Napa and set down roots by purchasing a 210 acre estate in the Stags Leap District, and replanted the vineyard, which dated back to the 1920’s. Shafer had their first crush in 1978, producing 1,000 cases, and a year later began construction on…