Podcast Episode 15: Crafting a California Legacy with Paul Draper & Glass with a Grower, David Gates

In this special episode of Grown in Napa Valley, host Caleb Mosley visits Ridge Monte Bello to sit down with two influential voices in California wine: Paul Draper and David Gates. Draper reflects on the collaborative tasting culture and experimental spirit that defined his winemaking career, including Napa’s role in his legendary 1971 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet. Gates shares insights on mountain viticulture, Napa's evolution in the 1980s, and the long-term conservation efforts that helped preserve agriculture on Monte Bello Ridge. Together, their stories highlight the enduring power of mentorship, land stewardship, and wines of place. ​

Episode Highlights: 

• “What matters most is the wine in the bottle, and that comes from the vineyard, the site, and how you handle it. That’s what Ridge has always stood for.” - Paul Draper 
• “We didn’t know the rules—we were just trying to make the best wine we could, from the best site we could find. And Napa taught us that.” - Paul Draper 
• “I carry Napa with me everywhere, even up here on the mountain. It's not just where I started—it's part of how I see the land.” - Caleb Mosley 
• “What I learned from both of you—and what I hope we’re passing on—is that stewardship isn’t just about farming. It’s about people, mentorship, and memory.” - Caleb Mosley 
• “When you grow grapes on a mountain like this, it humbles you. The vines will tell you what they want—you just have to listen.” - David Gates 
• “We protected this land not just to make wine, but so future generations could feel what we feel standing here.” - David gates