Vint Podcast

Ep. 114: Exploring the Legacy of Ridge Vineyards with Head Winemaker and COO, John Olney

January 31, 2024 Vint
Ep. 114: Exploring the Legacy of Ridge Vineyards with Head Winemaker and COO, John Olney
Vint Podcast
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Vint Podcast
Ep. 114: Exploring the Legacy of Ridge Vineyards with Head Winemaker and COO, John Olney
Jan 31, 2024
Vint

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, Brady Weller and Billy Galanko host John Olney, the Head Winemaker and COO at Ridge. John has worked for this heralded California estate - founded in 1962 in the Santa Cruz Mountains - since 1996.  He studied oenology in Burgundy and held positions alongside renowned winemakers including Gérard Chave in the Rhône, Lucien Peyraud at Domaine Tempier and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. John started out at Ridge's flagship property, Monte Bello, and later oversaw the creation of perhaps the greatest wine in the United States, the "Monte Bello" Bordeaux blend, from those Santa Cruz vineyards. Then he moved over to Lytton Springs to work more with Zinfandel and helped to construct the beautiful facilities that now make the property a second home for the Ridge name. Appointed COO and Head Winemaker in 2021, John has etched his name in Ridge lore alongside his former boss and California winemaking legend, Paul Draper. John's vast knowledge is evident and he was exceedingly generous to share so much with us in this episode!


The Vint Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

Past Guests Include: William Kelley, Peter Liem, Eric Asimov, Bobby Stuckey, Rajat "Raj" Parr, Erik Segelbaum, André Hueston Mack, Emily Saladino, Konstantin Baum, Landon Patterson, Heather Wibbels, Carlton "CJ" Fowler, Boris Guillome, Christopher Walkey, Danny Jassy, Kristy Wenz, Dan Petroski, Buster Scher, Andrew Nelson, Jane Anson, Tim Irwin, Matt Murphy, Allen Meadows, Altan Insights, Tim Gaiser, Vince Anter, Joel Peterson, Megan O'Connor, Adam Lapierre, Jason Haas, Ken Freeman, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Skyler Weekes, Mary Gorman McAdams, Nick King, Bartholomew Broadbent, Nick Jackson, Dillon Sykes, Mark Bell, David Keck, John Szabo, Channing Frye, Jay Hack, Julia Harding, Austin Hope, Michael Minnillo, Jermaine Stone, Jim Madsen, Santiago Archaval, Tom Smith, Sebastian Lowa, Matthew Crafton, Tony Parker, Andrew Caillard, Mike Veseth, Madeline Puckette, John Olney, Matthew Kaner, Amelia Singer, Chess Martin, and more!

Show Notes

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, Brady Weller and Billy Galanko host John Olney, the Head Winemaker and COO at Ridge. John has worked for this heralded California estate - founded in 1962 in the Santa Cruz Mountains - since 1996.  He studied oenology in Burgundy and held positions alongside renowned winemakers including Gérard Chave in the Rhône, Lucien Peyraud at Domaine Tempier and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. John started out at Ridge's flagship property, Monte Bello, and later oversaw the creation of perhaps the greatest wine in the United States, the "Monte Bello" Bordeaux blend, from those Santa Cruz vineyards. Then he moved over to Lytton Springs to work more with Zinfandel and helped to construct the beautiful facilities that now make the property a second home for the Ridge name. Appointed COO and Head Winemaker in 2021, John has etched his name in Ridge lore alongside his former boss and California winemaking legend, Paul Draper. John's vast knowledge is evident and he was exceedingly generous to share so much with us in this episode!


The Vint Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

Past Guests Include: William Kelley, Peter Liem, Eric Asimov, Bobby Stuckey, Rajat "Raj" Parr, Erik Segelbaum, André Hueston Mack, Emily Saladino, Konstantin Baum, Landon Patterson, Heather Wibbels, Carlton "CJ" Fowler, Boris Guillome, Christopher Walkey, Danny Jassy, Kristy Wenz, Dan Petroski, Buster Scher, Andrew Nelson, Jane Anson, Tim Irwin, Matt Murphy, Allen Meadows, Altan Insights, Tim Gaiser, Vince Anter, Joel Peterson, Megan O'Connor, Adam Lapierre, Jason Haas, Ken Freeman, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Skyler Weekes, Mary Gorman McAdams, Nick King, Bartholomew Broadbent, Nick Jackson, Dillon Sykes, Mark Bell, David Keck, John Szabo, Channing Frye, Jay Hack, Julia Harding, Austin Hope, Michael Minnillo, Jermaine Stone, Jim Madsen, Santiago Archaval, Tom Smith, Sebastian Lowa, Matthew Crafton, Tony Parker, Andrew Caillard, Mike Veseth, Madeline Puckette, John Olney, Matthew Kaner, Amelia Singer, Chess Martin, and more!