SOLD OUT! Wine Tasting with Legendary Doug Margerum

Join Inside Wine Santa Barbara on Thursday, Dec. 14th for a wine tasting with legendary Doug Margerum. He has been a central figure in the Santa Barbara food and wine scene for over 35 years. Upon graduating from the UC Santa Barbara in 1981, his family purchased the Wine Cask restaurant which was renown for its wine list and food. In 1994 it was one of only 74 restaurants in the world to earn the Wine Spectator Grand Award. Doug sold the WINE CASK in 2007.

Doug launched the Santa Barbara WINE CASK Futures Program in 1984, which elevated the exposure nationally of Santa Barbara Wine Country. From 1986 to 1998, Doug owned VITA NOVA winery with Bob Lindquist (Qupé) and Jim Clendenen (Au Bon Climat). In 2001, Margerum Wine Company began in a tiny 240 square foot cold room behind Brander Vineyards, producing limited quantities of wines sourced from both their estate vineyard and grapes purchased from other top vineyards of Santa Barbara County. The philosophy: return wine making to its previous form of production – handcrafted and personal.

The downtown Margerum tasting room was recently named "Best Urban Tasting Room" in the Independent's "Best of Santa Barbara® 2023" poll of readers' opinions.

Margerum Wine Company produces limited quantities of wines made from grapes grown both our Estate Vineyard and grapes purchased from other top vineyards from in and around Santa Barbara County. The 18 acre Estate Vineyard is planted exclusively to Rhône grape varietals. The acreage is divided between limestone hillsides and gravelly alluvial flatlands along Alamo Pintado Creek. The wines are now made at their state-of-the-art winery located on Industrial Way in Buellton. Margerum carefully selects the vineyards with meticulous attention to detail in all factors influencing the ultimate quality of the wines, including pruning, soil, climate, and farming methods.

Margerum primarily produces M5 (a Rhône varietal red blend), single vineyard Syrahs, a co-fermented Syrah called ÜBER, SYBARITE Sauvignon Blanc, M5 White (a blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, and Picpoul Blanc) and RIVIERA Rose. Doug works with the top vineyards from the cool, eastern end of the valley in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara to the cold vineyards of Sta. Rita Hills towards the western end of the valley.

In 2014, Margerum released BARDEN wines – an exploration of cold climate grapes grown in and around the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. BARDEN is Doug’s middle name and its English meaning is “Lives near the boar’s den”… thusly they have adorned the label with an image of the wild boar that is pervasive in the area’s vineyards.

Doug’s unique background with retail wine sales, as the sommelier/owner of a Grand Award restaurant and as a wine maker made him sought out by a variety of wineries to assist in the formation of their brands. Doug has consulted for Chêne Bleu super Rhône wines in France, and continues to consult for Happy Canyon Vineyards, and Robert Lieff’s Tipping Tree wines in the Los Olivos District, all in Santa Barbara County, as well as the Santa Barbara wines of Paradise Springs Winery based in Virginia.

Inside Wine Santa Barbara is pleased to announce a tasting with winemaker Doug Margerum in his tasting room named "Best Urban Tasting Room" by the Independent. Food menu:

• Cheese and Charcuterie Boards with Baguette
• Santa Barbara Smoked Salmon on Cucumber
• Duck Toast with Cherry Mostarda
• Sausage Pizza with Mushroom and Onion
• Caprese Panini

Wine Menu:
2022 Margerum Riviera Rosé Winemaker Doug worked at a winery in the south of France for 4 years where this style of rosé is made. He crafts the private label Rosé for Auberge de Soleil and other notable restaurants. (usual retail $26)

2022 Margerum M5 White, Wine Enthusiast Editor's Choice! The white Rhône-style blend that is wll-loved by Margerum Wine aficionados. A unique blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Picpoul Blanc. (usual retail $30)

2022 Margerum Trois Blonde We'll have the chance to taste this first-time bottling from the Estate Vineyard. Lively and savory on the palate with a fascinating rich texture delivering a decadent and delicious experience. (usual retail $42)

2022 Margerum M5 Red, 91 Points! - Wine Enthusiast Another iconic wine from Margerum Wines; classic blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Counoise.

2022 Margerum Syrah Substantial and mouth-filling with loads of dark berry fruits, dark plum and cherry and anise mix with Provençal herbs and grilled meat. Round, complex, fresh and very satiating. (usual retail $35)

IMPORTANT!

• This is a STANDING tasting in the mezzanine level of the Margerum tasting room in Hotel California. No seating.
• Attendance strictly limited to 35 attendees total

Hope to see you there!