Cinsault Los Olivos Estate 2023, Margerum

Crafted with care from estate-grown grapes, this wine highlights the unique qualities of Cinsault, a variety known for its bright acidity, gentle tannins, and delicate aromatics. It is made from sustainably farmed vines in the Santa Barbara County region, where cool coastal breezes and warm sun create ideal conditions for balanced ripening. The winemaking team focuses on minimal intervention, letting the grape's natural qualities shine. This approach results in a wine that is expressive yet approachable, making it a great choice for various settings and pairings.

In the glass, the wine shows a beautiful pale ruby color with hints of garnet, inviting you to explore its vibrant nose of red berries, rose petals, and a touch of earthy spice. On the palate, it is lively and fresh, bursting with flavors of tart cherry, cranberry, and subtle hints of white pepper and herbs. The acidity is bright but well-integrated, adding to the wine’s refreshing character, while the soft tannins provide a smooth and slightly textured finish. This wine’s lighter body and elegant structure make it an excellent pairing for a variety of foods, from roasted poultry to Mediterranean dishes or charcuterie, and it's delightful served slightly chilled on a warm day.

About the Winery

Doug Margerum has been involved in the Santa Barbara food and wine scene for over 35 years. 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 on their Estate Vineyard, as well as grapes purchased from other top vineyards grown 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.

Doug’s unique background with retail wine sales, as the sommelier/owner of a Grand Award restaurant and as a winemaker made him sought out by a variety of wineries to assist in the formation of their brands.  Doug has consulted for Chêne Bleu super Rhône wines in France, and continues to consult for Happy Canyon Vineyards, and Robert Lieff’s Tipping Tree wines in the Los Olivos District, all in Santa Barbara County, as well as the Santa Barbara wines of Paradise Springs Winery based in Virginia.