Alcohol: 14.8%
Grape(s): Zinfandel
Localization: Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
Tasting notes: The Zinfandel entices the nose with fresh aromas of crushed raspberry, sandalwood, vanilla cream and coffee. A soft, spicy mouthfeel unfolds with juicy flavors of strawberry, cherry, brambleberry and black plum. Secondary hints of dried rosemary and earthy leather bring added complexity to the wine’s fruit-forward character, while peppery notes linger on a smooth, rounded finish. A Zinfandel of depth and finesse.
93 points Wine Enthusiast: This is a very successful Zinfandel, blending earth, spice and fruit into a savory, yet thirst-quenching package. Aromas of cherry, toasted almond, thyme and asphalt lead from the nose into a tense palate of blueberry, oregano, peppercorn and spicy red-flower flavors.
Food pairing: Suggested pairings include rustic sausage flatbread, lamb chops with rosemary, barbacoa tacos and turkey with cranberry sauce.
Their Domain: We are a family-owned winery specializing in estate-grown wines from Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles appellation on California’s Central Coast.
Just look at a map of Paso Robles wineries and at the very southern tip you will find our Vineyard. Here, amid the rugged Santa Lucia mountain range just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Margarita Vineyard stands alone as the only vineyard in its vicinity, and thus the only vineyard to benefit from the extraordinary growing conditions of the area. Margarita Vineyard resides in the historic Santa Margarita Ranch, which was first planted to vines by Franciscan missionaries in 1774.
Ancient Peaks and Margarita Vineyard are owned by three longtime local winegrowing families—the Filipponis, Rossis and Wittstroms—who are actively involved in the daily operations of the vineyard and winery. Ancient Peaks wines are crafted under the guidance of Mike Sinor, a local winemaking veteran and one of the highest-rated winemakers on the Central Coast.
Ancient Peaks implements numerous sustainable viticultural practices to ensure natural quality in their wines while protecting the rich, native environment surrounding the Margarita Vineyard. Their practices have earned SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification for Margarita Vineyard, the leading standard for viticultural sustainability.
