Ridge Lytton Springs 2022 is a powerful and beautifully balanced Sonoma County field blend led by Zinfandel. Aromas of ripe blackberry, raspberry and cherry mingle with notes of violet, cedar, black pepper and dried herbs. The full-bodied palate is rich yet energetic, showing layers of dark fruit, spice and cocoa supported by lively acidity and firm, powdery tannins. Aged in American oak, it finishes long and lifted, with excellent ageing potential. Enjoy now with decanting or cellar for greater complexity from 2030 onwards.

James Suckling | JS 95
Published: Sep 6, 2024 

This is the kingpin of Ridge’s Sonoma County heritage blends and it doesn’t disappoint. Equal parts fruity, spicy and savory on a full body braced by moderate tannins. Judicious oak spices like cedar and cigar box complement pure, ripe blackberries and raspberries and a dash of black pepper. Known to age well for decades. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.

Decanter | D 95
Published: Mar 15, 2024
Drink: 2024-2038 

Committed to both sustainable and organic farming practices, Ridge’s pre-industrial approach lends its sensibility to field blends made from old, time-honored vines. Leading the Sonoma County blend is Zinfandel, California’s quintessential heritage grape, along with Petite Sirah, Carignan and Alicante Bouschet. Hand-harvest, co-fermented, then thoughtfully aged in American oak, the ruby hues with purple reflections follow with a bramble of wild berries, violet, sarsaparilla, fennel, and mint on the nose. An energised mouthfeel of blackberries, cherry cola, dried herbs, and cocoa-covered coffee beans, drive this lush and juicy field blend to a long, lifted finish.

The Wine Advocate | RP 94
Published: Oct 5, 2022
Drink: 2025-2045 

The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar.

Jancis Robinson | JR 17
Published: Mar 11, 2025
Drink: 2028-2040 

67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane, 3% Alicante Bouschet. 50th-anniversary bottling. A low-yielding drought year ‘so red- not black-fruit flavours’, according to winemaker John Olney. Like 1997, this was considered very lush at the time and ‘we thought it wouldn’t age for more than five years!’
Bright crimson. Sweet, bright cherry fruit. Very youthful with notable tannin. There’s structure and fruit but it’s really asking to be left alone for the moment. Clean and bright fruit but with decidedly grainy tannins on the end. (JR)

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 14.5% ABV
Closure: Natural cork
Harvest: 2022
Oak: Aged for approximately 14 months in air-dried American oak barrels, with a proportion of new oak
Varietals: 69% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignane
Farming: Certified organic vineyards; Ridge Vineyards follows sustainable and organic farming practices
Vineyard Area: Lytton Springs Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA. The vineyard features gravelly clay loam soils over fractured sandstone and volcanic material, contributing to the wine's concentration, structure and distinctive mineral character.
Vinification: Produced by Ridge Vineyards to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lytton Springs, this 2022 bottling reflects the character of the historic Dry Creek Valley vineyard. The grapes are fermented with native yeasts, using traditional winemaking methods, and aged in American oak to complement the fruit without overpowering it. The wine displays aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, raspberries and plum, layered with black pepper, anise, sweet spices and subtle cedar. The full-bodied palate combines concentrated dark fruit with savoury complexity, fresh acidity and firm, polished tannins, leading to a long, balanced finish.
Winemaker: John Olney
Region: Dry Creek Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California, USA

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: 1 hour
Food Pairing: Grilled beef ribs, barbecued brisket, roast lamb, smoked pork, grilled sausages, tomato-based dishes and aged cheddar.