Ridge Paso Robles Dusi Ranch Zinfandel, 750ml, California, USA
The Vineyards
Benito Dusi Ranch is RIDGE’s only zinfandel vineyard source south of the San Francisco Bay area. Located between the Santa Lucia Range and the Chalone Hills, it is situated just south of the town of Paso Robles, near Highway 101 and 46W. Part of the Paso Robles AVA, this location consistently experiences very large diurnal temperature shifts – hot days fading to cool nights. This phenomenon allows the head-trained (no trellis) vines rooted in the vineyard’s rocky, gravelly soils to produce fruit that showcases zinfandel’s bramble fruit and velvet tannins.
The Dusi Family
Sylvester and Caterina Dusi immigrated to the United States from Italy and ultimately settled in the Paso Robles area in the 1920’s. In 1924 they purchased their “Home Ranch” vineyard, where they raised three sons – Guido, Dante, and Benito. When Guido and Dante went to war in 1944, vineyard cultivation was left to their father and young Benito, who was eleven years old at the time. Benny, as his many friends called him, carefully tended the vines for nearly 75 years, until his passing in 2019. The original “Home Ranch” is now known as Benito Dusi Ranch, and it is from this vineyard that we produce our Paso Robles zinfandel.
The Wine
At Benito Dusi Ranch, we employ a gentle, hands-off approach to the winemaking process. Through a combination of hand-harvesting, natural yeast fermentation, and minimal intervention, we are able to produce what we believe to be the true essence of this vineyard site and of the Paso Robles AVA. Our Paso Robles Zinfandel is a wine that consistently shows deep, juicy bramble fruit on the palate, along with notes of black cherry, gravelly earth, and rich chocolate—Paso Robles is Zinfandel at its finest.
The Vintage
Since 1967, and our first zinfandel from the Dusi Ranch, it is typically the first vineyard picked, a harbinger that harvest has begun. In 2023, however, despite warm spring weather, cooler summer temperatures persisted through September, resulting in one of the latest harvests here in the last 40 years. This cool weather during ripening did help retain acidity. Fruit-forward and sumptuous, this exemplary zinfandel is best enjoyed on release and over the next five years. JO (11/24)
Growing Season
Rainfall: 64 inches (above normal)
Bloom: End of June
Weather: Late and prolonged harvest due to consistently cool weather throughout the growing season.Winemaking
Harvest Dates: 2 – 12 October
Grapes: Average Brix 25.5˚
TA: 6.7 g/L
pH: 3.48
Fermentation: 100% natural primary and secondary fermentation.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 10% one year old, and 75% four and five years old).
Aging: Twelve months in barrelBenito Dusi Vineyard grapes, hand-harvested; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush,136 ppm over the course of aging). Pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.
Press
Winemaker Tasting Notes
Jammy red confiture with subtle toasty oak aromas. Medium-full bodied, soft mouthfeel with abundant raspberry fruit, a hint of mint, and ample acidity. JO (1/25)
Country of Origin:
USA
Region / Appelation / AVA:
California / Central Coast / Paso Robles AVA: Dusi Ranch
Certification:
Certified ‘Organic’
Grape Varieties:
100% Zinfandel
Alcohol (ABV):
14.9%
Producer:
Ridge Vineyards
Ratings:
Zinfandel Chronicles: 94 Points “Dark crimson in color. High toned nose black fruits, licorice and mint. Medium to full bodied with perfect acidity and balance. Rich, silky and concentrated. Blackberry, raspberry liqueur, strawberry and white pepper on the palate. Exceptional length on the finish. Sublime Zinfandel that will drink well for another 3-5 years.” -Tom Lee (March 2025)
OwenBargreen.com: 94 Points “The 2023 ‘Paso Robles’ Zinfandel is sourced from the Dusi Vineyard, as this wine was first made by Ridge in the 1960s. 100% varietal, this offers graphite and dark chocolate shavings mingle well with cardamom dusted orange peel and menthol notes on the nose. The palate is very fresh and lithe on the mouth, with terrific tension and texture, as well as salty undertones. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035.” -Owen Bargreen (March 2025)
JebDunnuck.com: 94 Points “The 2023 Zinfandel Benito Dusi Ranch is made from 100% Zinfandel, the vines old and established; Ridge’s first vintage was 1967. Featuring full-bodied, jammy red fruit, it is juicy, broad, and fleshy while also offering a high-toned, restrained style. A hallmark of the vineyard is its great acidity, with brightness a consistent characteristic across vintages. Round, it’s not sweet but allows enough sweetness from the fruit to be lush and appealing from start to finish, spending 12 months in 15% new American oak. Drink now through 2033.” -Virginie Boone (April 2025)
Wine Spectator: 94 Points “A sleek and vibrant claret-style Zin that retains a distinctive, brambly personality. Offers black cherry and raspberry flavors accented with smoked pepper and anise. Drink now through 2034.” -Tim Fish (April 2025)
Wine.com: 93 Points “The historic Dusi Ranch, established in 1923, has been an excellent source of Paso Robles Zinfandels. The 2023 Ridge Benito Dusi Ranch is robust and fulfilling. This wine excels with aromas and flavors of explosive ripe berries, apricot pits, and sandalwood. Try it with spicy Italian sausages, and be sure to include plenty of fennel. (Best Served: 2025-2032)” -Wilfred Wong (March 2025)
Decanter.com: 93 Points “This is from the Benito Dusi Ranch, planted in 1922 by the Dusi family, and they farm it to this day. Sitting inland about 14 miles, this is a very warm site, even in Paso Robles. Ridge has been making this wine since 1967. It’s always the first pick in the Ridge portfolio; these are own-rooted, head-trained vines. Aged 15 months in 80% neutral American oak. Aromatics of black plums and Christmas spice, with a hint of blackberry and muddled mint leaf. The palate is juicy yet vibrant with an exhilarating acidity that animates the ripe black berries, damson plums and a final note of exotic Mexican chocolate.” -Clive Pursehouse (April 2025)
Wine Advocate: 92 Points “Hailing from old vines at Dusi Ranch, the 2023 Zinfandel Paso Robles opens with a vibrant nose of candied red fruits and dried spices, followed by a beaming, succulent palate lined with invigorating acidity that runs through the elegant, refreshing finish.” -Matthew Luczy (August 2025)
Vinography.com “Very dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of blackberries and black licorice. In the mouth, blackberry pie flavors (though without overt sweetness) are boisterous and bright with excellent acidity. Hints of coconut, sweet oak, and a touch of brown sugar linger in the finish. Juicy and very tasty. 14.9% alcohol. Score: Between 8.5 and 9.” -Alder Yarrow (April 2025)
Food Pairing:
This wine pairs well with hearty stew, wild game, roasted red meats, mushrooms plates and sharp, aged cheeses.