Alcohol: 14.8%
Grape(s): 85% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Zinfandel
Localization: Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
Tasting notes: This Merlot opens with enticing red fruit aromas joined by hints of dried herbs and toasted oak. A round, supple texture delivers mouthfilling flavors of raspberry, plum, black cherry, cocoa dust and baking spice. Lingering complexities of cedar and mushroom elevate the senses on a silky, polished finish.
Food pairing: The rounded textures and complex flavors of this Merlot pair well with rack of lamb, herbed roast beef, mushroom risotto, and Merlot-braised pork chops.
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.
