Meet the Makers

Wine · Santa Barbara, California

Margerum

Rhône-inspired Santa Barbara County wines from a local wine pioneer.

Founded
2001
Founded by
Doug Margerum
Based in
Santa Barbara, California

Shop all Margerum (6)Our featured pick

Their story

Before he made wine, Doug Margerum spent about two decades running the Wine Cask on Anacapa Street in Santa Barbara, where he helped put local winemakers on the map. In 2001 he started his own label, Margerum Wine Company.

His flagship is M5, a red blend of five grapes inspired by Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Margerum still shapes the blends, while Michael Miroballi has handled day-to-day winemaking since 2016. The company has tasting rooms in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley.

How it's made

Grapes come from Santa Barbara County, including estate-grown Syrah. M5 builds on Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, seasoned with Counoise and Cinsault. Fermentations run slow and cool to keep the wines lively, and Margerum works with as little sulfur as possible.

The counoise and cinsault are the salt and pepper.
Doug Margerum, founder, to the Santa Barbara Independent (2021)

Why we carry them

We like Margerum's M5 as a California answer to southern Rhône reds. It's a natural pick for grilled meats and roast vegetables.

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