In 1962, four Stanford Research Engineers (Dave Bennion, Hew Crane, Charlie Rosen, and Howard Ziedler) acquired the vineyard land at Santa Cruz Mountains which were to become Ridge Vineyards. In those early years they experimented with production of small quantities of wine, including the first vintages of flagship wine Monte Bello (1961 and 1962).
By 1968 production had increased to just under three thousand cases per year, and in 1969, Paul Draper joined the partnership (Draper was also a Stanford graduate but in philosophy and more significantly he was an experienced winemaker). The arrival of Draper at Ridge is really when the estate’s ascent to greatness starts; he initiated full restoration of winery facilities begun the acquisition process of the finest vineyard land.
