2003 Margerum MWC Pinot Noir

Margerum Wine Company was founded in 2001 by Doug Margerum, a long-time Santa Barbara area vintner, winemaker, restaurateur, sommelier and promoter of Santa Barbara wines. Having grown up in a family of restaurateurs, he was a winemaker and sometimes also an owner at several Santa Barbara region wineries before starting Margerum. The estate today has 18 acres of vineyards planted to Rhone varietals. It also purchases grapes from other area vineyards. Margerum produces mainly single-vineyard Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, white blends and rosé. The estate also produces wines under the Barden label. Barden wines are made from cold climate grapes grown in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation.

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.