Award Winning Super Tuscans from the Conejo Valley
It starts with our estate Sangiovese blended with the finest varietals
The result is 'La Mistura' - the purest expression of a terroir we call Baxter Ridge
The Vineyard
Sangiovese or "The Blood of Jove" from the Roman God Jupiter is perhaps the most significant varietal grown in the Tuscan Region of Italy. If you asked Jove (good luck - he's a god) where to plant Sangiovese, in a booming voice he would say "mediterranean climate, about 1350' in elevation, south facing, warm in the day and cool at night." After searching for those perfect criteria - the path leads both Tuscany AND Southern California.
Our vines sitting at 1370' in elevation enjoy long sunny days and cool ocean breezes at night which, when combined with ideal soil conditions and vineyard management, make exceptional fruit. During the daytime we can see highs into the 90s followed by nights in the 50s - those temperature fluctuations give the vines the ideal stress mix.
The same standards apply to vineyards where we source our other varietals for blending. We have long relationships with farmers who are obsessive about their fruit and terroir. We harvest exactly when it's the perfect time. There are simply no shortcuts to making exceptional wine.
The Approach - Slow is fast
One of the secrets that gives wines such complexity it extended time on the skins before and after fermentation. Our wines sit in a cold soak on the skins for 7-10 days before we start fermentation. After fermentation we let the wines sit again on the before pressing. Before and after equate to 20+ days. Those extra days, hours, minutes and seconds of skin contact time (where they are watched like NASA Mission Control) allow for so much more flavor and depth in the finished wine.
We take the same approach making wine from the fruit we select to blend with our estate Sangiovese. Only the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc from Paso Robles, Santa Ynez and Ojai make the cut.
The Results
2019 - 2021 Vintages:
DOUBLE GOLD Medal - Costa Mesa, CA - Orange County Wine Society - highest rated Sangiovese and a runner up for 'Best of Show'
SILVER Medal - San Francisco, CA; highest rated Sangiovese.
GOLD Medal - Austin, TX at Texas International Wine Competition; highest rated Sangiovese
GOLD and SILVER Medals in Paso Robles, CA at the Central Coast Wine Competition
SILVER and SILVER Medals from WineMaker Magazine and Orange County Wine Society
GOLD Medal - Austin, TX at Texas International Wine Competition - highest Sangiovese and Red Blend
DOUBLE GOLD Medal - Costa Mesa, CA - Orange County Wine Society - highest rated Sangiovese Blend and a runner up for 'Best of Show'
In the Barrels
For 2022 and 2023 we have 2 wine releases planned:
- La Mistura - 50% Sangiovese and 50% Syrah
- L'Estroverso - 50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet, 10% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot.
About Baxter Ridge
Named after our late yellow Labrador Retriever, Baxter, the name is a fitting tribute to the perfect gentleman of a dog. Our new lab Blake carries the torch forward in his honor.
Currently, we're focused on barrel projects, working with other winemakers, and as always working in the vines. The path, like a vine, is twisting - and we're enjoying where it takes us.
Baxter Ridge is a private winery, Please send a message below to add your name to our mailing list.
