The name Ancient Peaks was chosen to honor the towering Santa Lucia Mountains that border Margarita Vineyard. These peaks are pivotal to the complex geology and marine climate that distinguish the vineyard's terroir. The winery's production began in earnest with the 2006 vintage.

This family-owned winery specializes in estate-grown wines from Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles appellation on California’s Central Coast. 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. Here the vines unfold along a rare array of five distinct soil types: ancient sea bed, rocky alluvium, shale, volcanic, and granitic. The resulting wines express an unmistakable sense of place with flavors that are native to Margarita Vineyard and its stand alone Santa Margarita Ranch Sub Appellation.

We will sample three AP varietals:

Sauvignon Blanc 2022 — The 2022 SB comes predominantly from Block 41, one of the coolest locations at Margarita Vineyard. Block 41 occupies rocky alluvial soils that vary in density, elevation and exposure. As the block slopes downward from its crown, the soils become thicker, and the temperatures become cooler. These variances create different fruit expressions and complexities in this cool-climate fruit. This Sav Blanc includes fruit from select vineyards in warmer areas of Paso Robles. These complementary sites layer in riper tropical fruit flavors that bring added dimension to the finished wine. Fresh aromas of grapefruit, peach skin, and tropical papaya. The mouthfeel is textured with flavors of citrus, green apple, and pineapple wrapped around a varietal core of minerality and grassiness. Quenching acidity persists along a bright, tangy finish. A fine balance of ripeness and raciness, with crisp acidity and appealing mineral accents. 13.5% ABV. $18.99/$6.50

Merlot 2020 — Merlot excels in this vineyard and has been a mainstay in the small family of wines since day one. Ancient sea bed soils combine with a long growing season to yield a winelot with silky dark fruit flavors and a luscious texture. This vintage comes from three blocks at Margarita Vineyard that exhibit their own distinct qualities, bringing added dimension to the finished wine. These blocks are situated along the slopes of an uplifted ancient sea bed, which provides the type of highly calcareous soils that are coveted by winemakers worldwide. Block 15 is a newer planting that delivers dark, velvety black fruit flavors. Meanwhile, Block 5 yields a more nuanced character with both softness and power. Finally, Block 4 presents a brighter spectrum of red fruit flavors. enticing red fruit aromas joined by hints of dried herbs and toasted oak. This wine has 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. 14.3% ABV. $21/$7

Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — Cab Sav is the longtime flagship wine of Ancient Peaks, helping drive the emergence of Paso Robles as a world-class region for this classic Bordeaux variety. At Margarita Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon achieves both ripeness and balance amid one of the region’s coolest, longest growing seasons, all while drawing natural complexity from the vineyard’s uniquely complex soils. The 2020 vintage comes from six distinct Cabernet Sauvignon blocks. The individual qualities of these blocks combine to bring dimension and nuance to the final blend. Opens with heady aromas of black raspberry, cherry, sage and tobacco leaf. A juicy, mouth filling texture reveals seamless layers of currant, cherry, blueberry, dark plum and black olive with trailing hints of mocha, mineral and eucalyptus. Suggestions of vanilla bean join soft tannins on a smooth, rounded finish. 13.9% ABV. $21.99/$7.50

See you Friday!