Join Wine Institute at 10am, every Tuesday in May for “Behind the Wines” with Elaine Chukan Brown.
The California Wine Export Program is bringing the California winemaking community to you through a Tuesday virtual discussion and tasting with wine writer and educator Elaine Chukan Brown and some of California’s top grape growing and winemaking talent. The popular morning video series continues through May. On May 19, Brown will interview Ridge Vineyards’ Paul Draper, chairman of the board, followed by Carole Meredith & Steve Lagier of Lagier Meredith with Anthony Truchard, Truchard Vineyards, on May 26.
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May 19, Episode 7 | Paul Draper, Ridge Vineyards
May 26, Episode 8 | Carole Meredith & Steve Lagier, Lagier Meredith, + Anthony Truchard General Manager, Truchard Vineyards.
In the seventh episode of the series, Elaine will speak with Paul Draper, chairman of the board of Ridge Vineyards. Paul Draper grew up on an 80-acre farm 50 miles west of Chicago. After attending the Choate School and receiving a degree in philosophy from Stanford University, he lived for two years in northern Italy. He went on to attend the University of Paris and traveled extensively in France. In both Italy and France, he sought out and studied traditional winemaking practices. In the mid-sixties, with a close friend, he set up a small winery in the coast range of Chile and produced several vintages of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon. He joined Ridge Vineyards in 1969 and resides atop Monte Bello Ridge with his wife, pianist and author Maureen McCarthy Draper. He is known for the fine Cabernets and Chardonnays of the Monte Bello estate vineyards, and as a pioneer in the production of long-lived, complex Zinfandels.
Elaine and Paul will discuss how he learned traditional winemaking techniques from Europe, developed those skills working with old vines in South America, and eventually bringing that expertise to California where he helped build one of California’s most renowned wineries. Featured wine is the 1984 Ridge Monte Bellow Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains.
