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John Olney

John was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Louis, Missouri. As a child, he often went to Provence, where he visited his uncle, Richard Olney, a renowned food and wine writer and former member of the International Wine Academy. There, he discovered the great original wines, especially the artisan winemakers guided by the traditional methods advocated by the AIV.

He began his career working with importer Kermit Lynch, where he deepened his understanding of the philosophy behind the activities of many of France's finest producers. Focusing on his passion for wine and his desire to become a winemaker, between 1990 and 1994 he completed several internships in Provence, the Rhône Valley and Burgundy.

Returning to the U.S. in 1996, he joined producer Ridge Vineyards, working alongside Paul Draper in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In 1991, he became winemaker at Ridge's Lytton Springs winery in Sonoma, specializing in Old Vine Zinfandel. In 2021, he was named Director of Winemaking and COO of Ridge, where he directs winemaking at both Monte Bello and Lytton Springs wineries.

  • Home country USA
  • Country of residence California
  • Function Ridge Vineyards, California, USA
  • Affiliation Production
  • Website https://www.ridgewine.com/
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Contact information

Winemaker/COO Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 650 Lytton Springs Rd, Healdsburg California 95448 USA Tel +1-707 431 2634 john@ridgewine.com

Course

  • Born on 12.05.1966 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
    Louis, Missouri, USA
  • Viticulture and oenology studies in Beaune
  • Viticulture/vinification internships in France Domaine Tempier in Bandol,
  • Professional area
  • Domaine JL Chave in Hermitage, Marcel La Pierre in Morgon, Aubert de Villaine in Bouzeron

Professional field

  • Commercial, 1989-2003 Kermit Lynch Import Berkeley Ca
  • Assistant Winemaker of Paul Draper Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello 1995-1998
  • Construction of the new Lytton Springs estate Healdsburg CA 1999
  • Winemaker Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs 2000-present
  • Specializing in zinfandel, carignan, petite sirah…
  • Direct sales, distribution in around 50 other countries

Philosophy

Identifying unique locations in California where grape variety, soil and microclimate assimilate to provide the essential elements for the elaboration of terroir wines.
Organic vine cultivation and the use of simple, natural methods in winemaking to produce pure, honest, balanced wines capable of ageing.