This fascinating wine is from our Estate grown vineyard located in the heart of the Los Olivos District appellation. It is 84% Cinsault with a blend of 16% Syrah. In Chateauneuf du Pape, Cinsault typically plays a smaller role of providing aroma, spice and verve to these legendary wines. This is our 5th vintage of just this varietal and we love how fruity fresh and drinkable this wine is and even recommend chilling it down slightly. 

Fermented as whole berry for aromatics, then pressed after fermentation and matured for 10 months in various cask sizes that are seasoned and neutral including large French oak Foudre, puncheon and barrique. 

Dark blue and purple hues. Aroma: Bright aromas of fresh dark berries mixed with a rusticity of saddle and Santa Barbara garrigue wild sage. Refreshing palate of bright black fruit, mixed with mulling spices. Plush, delicious, round and fresh with good acidity. The playful nature creates flavors and aromas that remind us of the rustic country sides and cuisine in the south of France.

Doug Margerum has been involved in the Santa Barbara food and wine scene for over 35 years. Upon graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1981, his family purchased WINE CASK. In 1994 the WINE CASK became one of 74 restaurants in the world to earn the Wine Spectator Grand Award. Doug sold the WINE CASK in 2007.

Doug launched the Santa Barbara WINE CASK Futures Program in 1984, which elevated the exposure nationally of Santa Barbara Wine Country. From 1986 to 1998, Doug owned VITA NOVA winery with Bob Lindquist (Qupé) and Jim Clendenen (Au Bon Climat). In 2001, Margerum Wine Company began in a tiny 240 square foot cold room behind Brander Vineyards. The philosophy: return wine making to its previous form of production – handcrafted and personal.

Margerum Wine Company produces limited quantities of wines made from grapes grown both our Estate Vineyard and grapes purchased from other top vineyards from in and around Santa Barbara County. The 18 acre Estate Vineyard is planted exclusively to Rhône grape varietals. The acreage is divided between limestone hillsides and gravelly alluvial flatlands along Alamo Pintado Creek. The wines are now made at their state-of-the-art winery located on Industrial Way in Buellton. Margerum carefully selects the vineyards with meticulous attention to detail in all factors influencing the ultimate quality of the wines, including pruning, soil, climate, and farming methods.