Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
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Interpreting France through the lens of Santa Barbara County’s diverse terroir, Margerum Wine Company produces wine that echo the Rhône and Bourgogne regions.  Margerum and its sibling label, Barden, craft wines that reflect the essence of these French varietals yet overflow with California personality.  These sublime Santa Barbara County wines sprang from the passion and vision of Doug Margerum, who has spent his life as the unofficial ambassador for the burgeoning wine scene, successfully making Santa Barbara County synonymous with great wine.
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Doug Margerum, Courtesy of Margerum Wine Company
Doug Margerum has been “all in” on Santa Barbara wine country for almost 40 years, first as a restauranteur and then as a winemaker, shining the spotlight on what makes Santa Barbara County wines so special.  Realizing the essence of a great restaurant is the strength of its wine program, Margerum launched a futures program at his family-owned Wine Cask in 1984, offering wines from many of the rising stars of the region.  Over the next 20 plus years, he helped advance the local wine scene, elevating many beginning winemakers to national prominence.  His efforts as sommelier at the Wine Cask landed him on the US stage, as Wine Spectator bestowed their Grand Award upon the restaurant.  Joining an elite strata of global restaurants, it became a wine destination, and as a result, so did Santa Barbara wine country.
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Doug Margerum, Courtesy of Margerum Wine Company
Margerum is a pioneer in many ways, having partnered with local legends Jim Clendenen and Bob Lindquist in the mid 80’s in a winery project, Vita Nova.  Both Clendenen and Lindquist went on to forge their very special magic under their own labels, Au Bon Climat and Qúpe.  Margerum pursued his own style of winemaking under the Margerum Wine Company umbrella in 2001.  He concentrated on Rhône grape varietals, sourced from his estate vineyard in the Los Olivos AVA as well as purchased fruit from around the County, taking a hands-on, personal approach to making a stunning array of Rhône style wines.
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Margerum has so many varietals to choose from, therefore his motto “my forte is blending”.  As proof, his flagship M5 red and white blends offer the essence of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.  For the M5 White, the complexity of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Picpoul Blanc swirl together in a rich and round wine.  For the M5 Red, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Counoise provide layers of flavor and texture, making it the ultimate food wine.  Margerum is truly a candy store of wine, there’s single bottlings of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Picpoul Blanc, Riesling, Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah.  And if that wasn’t enough, Margerum makes a few other blends, like a chef, always tinkering with the recipe, ultimately focused on food and wine pairing.  The wines are made as natural as possible, with little or no sulfur, choosing to use lees aging and CO2 to protect the wines, what Margerum calls “controlled oxidation”.  A light touch of oak or neutral oak lets the fruit shine through, and gives the wines a polished elegance.
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(L-R) Winemaker Michael Miroballi and Director of Winemaking Doug Margerum, Courtesy of Margerum Wine Company
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Courtesy of Margerum Wine Company
Then, the ultimate follow up act, in 2014 Margerum decided to craft terroir-driven wines that are the specialty of the Sta. Rita Hills, releasing the cooler climate wines of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, channeling a Burgundian vibe under the Barden label.  Margerum delights in the nuances, starting with the name.  Barden is his middle name, but not the one he was born with, in fact, he didn’t have one.  When he turned 40, he decided to give himself a middle name, and Barden was his grandmother’s maiden name.  So when he debated what to call his new lineup of wines, the stars aligned in favor of “Barden”.  “Barden”, French for someone who lives near a boar’s den, seemed to fit him and his wines.  Sta. Rita Hills, it seems, is overrun with wild boars, multiply that with Margerum being born in the Year of the Boar, as well as his son, and the serendipity was too strong to deny.
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Doug Margerum impresses Fabian Rodriguez with a 34L demi-john glass vessel used in aging the Amaro
In addition to the Rhône and Burgundian wines that Margerum makes, he is also dabbling in distilled and fortified wines that offer something different.  The Margerum Amaro is fashioned after the Italian version of an herbal liquor.  This bitter sweet digestif is made by steeping fortified wine, (in this case, Sangiovese, Syrah, and Zinfandel) with herbs, roots, dried orange peels, and caramelized simple syrup, then blended in the Solara method, where the newest batch is added to the previous year, yielding a fractional blend.  This is repeated every year, with a certain amount drawn off for aging.  The finishing touch, aging in large casks outdoors on the winery’s roof for twelve years, yields a 23% ABV liquor, intense and smooth, best drunk neat after dinner.  And Margerum also makes a sumptuous ice cream with the Amaro, serve it with a square of dark chocolate, fascinating and unique!  The Margerum Mute-Age is a Grenache-based dessert wine, made in the style of a Vin Doux Natural.  It’s sweet and luscious, with an added something that comes from its aging protocol.  Placed in 34 liter demi-john glass bottles, it’s aged outside, on the winery’s roof, for two years, and achieves 18% ABV.  This is a great way to end a meal, with a square of dark chocolate.  A third choice, Margerum MARC of Santa Barbara, is a brandy made from Viognier pomace, distilled and aged in wooden casks, it is 94 proof, and can be drunk neat or used in a cocktail.
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Margerum Wine Company has now relocated to spectacular digs within the Hotel Californian complex in the Funk Zone area of Santa Barbara, walking distance to the beach and downtown.  Here, you can taste wines that define the region.  Under the Margerum label, seven whites, one rosé, and eight reds display a unique range of character.  If you love the very distinctive flavors of Rhône wines, just imagine them with a Santa Barbara spin.  On the flip side, the wind-whipped climate of Sta. Rita Hills defines the Barden wines, three vineyard specific Pinot Noirs and four whites, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Viognier.
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Doug Margerum shares his fabulous Cinsault with Patricia Decker
Tasting with Doug Margerum is a treat, his enthusiasm and joy for the art of winemaking and the sharing of the final product is infectious.  A small group of LA Wine Writers spent a couple of hours with him recently, sampling so many delicious wines, along with a carefully curated cheese and charcuterie board.
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Below are my favorites of the more than a dozen wines we went through, and believe me, it’s difficult to winnow them down, because each has something distinctive about it.
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Riviera Rosé 2019 - a crisp, refreshing wine made from Grenache, Syrah, and Counoise, it has crunchy red fruit (strawberry and watermelon), lots of bright acidity with a full body, it’s Provence in a glass.  Margerum also packages Riviera Rosé in cans, easy to carry and enjoy anywhere.
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“Sybarite” Sauvignon Blanc 2019 - bright and complex, with grassy aromas of tropical fruit, melons, and lime.  On the palate, it’s succulent and savory, with a creamy texture from lees aging.  The name “Sybarite” is another sly Doug Margerum reference, Sybarite refers to residents of the Greek city Sybaris, noted for their pursuit of sensual pleasure.  For Doug, the word has a double-entendre, the “Sy” stands for Santa Ynez Valley, the “bar” for Santa Barbara, and the “ite” for light, all of these refers to the mix of vineyard sources used for the Sauvignon Blanc.  A fun fact, Sybarite was served at the last White House State dinner for President Obama in 2016, along with Maryland Crab, sounds like a perfect pairing!
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Barden Viognier Sanford + Benedict Vineyard 2018 - crisp and intense, it really packs the Wow! factor.  Old vine Viognier, barrel fermented and aged sur-lie, it has delicate aromas of white flowers, peach and brioche, but the flavors are rich and full-bodied, peach nectar and orange combining into a crisp and complex wine, with a long finish.
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Picpoul Blanc 2019 - savory and a bit tart, this white wine packs a lot of punch with its lime zest, plantain, and cactus character.  The perfect seafood wine, Picpoul is one of the oldest varietals from France’s Languedoc-Roussillon region, and it’s rare to find it here in California.  Doug is using this in the Estate M5 White Blend as well
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Cinsault 2019 - a blend of 85% Cinsault and 15% Syrah, this light red wine is fresh and spicy, with notes of bright red and black fruit, herbs, garrigue, leather and granite.  I loved the tang of tannins and acidity, a fun wine that is delicious by the glass and with lighter food fare.
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Barden SRH Pinot Noir 2017 - deeply aromatic and complex, earthy, textured and rich, notes of cherry, candied fruit, meat, mushrooms, spice and cocoa, framed with French oak accents.  There is a lot going on here, beautiful to drink now but it has a long life ahead of it.
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Estate Syrah 2018 - deep and intense, this 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier sweeps your palate with broad flavors of sweet red and blue fruit, cola, coffee and vanilla.  Dense and textured, the new French oak aging adds a refined framework to the wine, a real stunner.
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Doug Margerum, Courtesy of Margerum Wine Company
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Doug Margerum is keenly interested in not only growing his own brand, but helping define and expand what Santa Barbara wine is all about.  To that end, he consults with several wineries in the County, offering perspective and experience, believing that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  Doug Margerum has become an ambassador for Santa Barbara County wines, by making distinctive wines, under the Margerum and Barden labels, that reflect the bounty of the region.