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 more AP varietals:

One Stone Rosé 2022 — Pinot Noir is chosen from the family vineyard in southern Paso Robles and select sites on California’s Central Coast. Here, the Pinot Noir grape thrives amid a marine-influenced climate shaped by the nearby Pacific Ocean. Sunny summer afternoons yield to cooling evening breezes, allowing the fruit to achieve full ripeness while retaining its delicate varietal nuances.These are perfect conditions for producing an elegantly styled dry rosé of Pinot Noir. A portion from every bottle sold is donated to Dream Big Darling, which provides educational opportunities and mentorship programs for the next generation of female leaders in the wine and spirits industry. Lively aromas of watermelon, kiwi, flint and orange blossom.The palate is crisp, fresh and delicate, displaying flavors of peach, strawberry and clementine with accents of stony minerality. Silky textures unfold into a clean, vibrant finish. 13.5% ABV. $18.99/$6.50

Zinfandel 2020 — The 2020 growing season was marked by a mild spring and summer, punctuated by two latesummer heat waves that accelerated the pace of ripening into harvest—all coming together to provide a banner vintage for Zinfandel fruit. Bright, jammy aromas of raspberry, cinnamon spice and vanilla cream. Luscious, rounded flavors of red cherry, raspberry and blackberry unfold across a beautifully weighted mouthfeel, all underpinned by deeper hints of roast coffee and black pepper. Smooth, juicy acidity brings impressive balance to a uniquely elegant finish. 14.1% ABV. $21/$7

Renegade Red Blend 2020 — Renegade is a wine that “pushes the envelope and resists conformity.” It all began when AP decided to make a Syrah-dominant blend. Founding Winemaker Mike Sinor recalls, “We said to ourselves, ‘Let’s take the gloves off, get creative and go renegade on this’.” Heady aromas of dark fruits, blackberry cobbler, toasty oak, and allspice. The palate unfolds with dense, mouth-filling flavors of fresh wild berry, boysenberry, and blueberry, expanding into essences of roast coffee, peppery spice, woodsmoke, and savory game. Gravelly tannins bring length and structure to a robust, juicy finish. Blend: 67% Syrah, 27% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec. 15.2% ABV. $23.99/$8