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 Approach
Sangiovese or "The Blood of Jove" from the Roman God Jupiter is perhaps the most important varietal grown in 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.
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. Then, after fermentation we let the wines sit again on the skins before pressing. 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 with the fruit we select to blend with our estate Sangiovese. Only the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc make the cut.
Current news
On the Vine
Spring 2022 - with a flash of hot weather in February (it should not be 90 degrees!) bud break started early and soon went into full fruit set. The production levels so far (before the grape eaters hit) look even higher than the fall '21 harvest. At these rates and depending on the weather gods, harvest looks like Mid - August. For our blending, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will come from Paso Robles, Cabernet Franc from Santa Ynez and Syrah from Ojai - it will be a busy wine making season again! Harvest this year is coming in very early!
In the Barrels
For '22 we have 3 wine releases planned - a 50/50 Sangiovese and Syrah, a 50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet, 10% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot. The final release is 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet, 15% Syrah, and 10% Petit Vedot.
Awards
DOUBLE GOLD - Costa Mesa, CA - Orange County Wine Society - highest rated Sangiovese and a runner up for 'Best of Show'
SILVER - San Francisco, CA - at the prestigious 'North of the Gate' Professional wine competition, and the highest rated Sangiovese.
GOLD - Austin, TX at Texas International Wine Competition - and highest rated Sangiovese
GOLD and SILVER medals in Paso Robles, CA at the Central Coast Wine Competition
SILVER and SILVER Awards from WineMaker Magazine and Orange County Wine Society
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.
