Winemaker Notes
The name Oyster Ridge honors an outcropping that always astonishes visitors to the estate Margarita Vineyard. Here, large white oyster fossils are literally spilling out of the ground, fostering the type of calcium-rich soil that is coveted by winemakers worldwide.
The 2014 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (51%), Merlot (36%), Syrah (5%), Petite Sirah (5%) and Malbec (3%).
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Oyster fossils are ubiquitous along the Santa Margarita Vineyard. While the tannins are developed, the liquid is plush with layers of flavors from lavender to mulled plum and blackberry to dusted cocoa-cedar.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah and 3% Malbec, the deep garnet-purple colored 2014 Oyster Ridge offers up notions of fresh cassis, cloves, plums, black berries and black cherries with hints of toast and beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the taut palate is firmly structured with ripe, grainy tannins. Possessing great harmony and depth, it gives a good long spicy finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Fresh yet deep and penetrating aromas of blackberry syrup, black-currant jam, vanilla, milk chocolate and crème brûlée are well woven and not overblown on this blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 3% Malbec. The palate starts with smoothed-out tannins that dry up a bit by the midpalate, and a strong acidity carries flavors of boisterous purple fruit and baking spice. Still quite young and energetic.
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Wine Spectator
Wall-to-wall flavors offer complexity, texture, richness and length, with a medley of dark berry, mocha and red and dark licorice notes. Long and fulfilling on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Malbec. Drink now through 2030.
We are a family-owned winery specializing in estate-grown wines from Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles appellation on California’s Central Coast.
Just look at a map of Paso Robles wineries and at the very southern tip you will find our Vineyard. 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.
Ancient Peaks and Margarita Vineyard are owned by three longtime local winegrowing families—the Filipponis, Rossis and Wittstroms—who are actively involved in the daily operations of the vineyard and winery. Ancient Peaks wines are crafted under the guidance of Mike Sinor, a local winemaking veteran and one of the highest-rated winemakers on the Central Coast.
Ancient Peaks implements numerous sustainable viticultural practices to ensure natural quality in their wines while protecting the rich, native environment surrounding the Margarita Vineyard. Their practices have earned SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification for Margarita Vineyard, the leading standard for viticultural sustainability.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Composed of steep mountain slopes of ancient Salinas River origins at 900 to 1,400 feet in elevation, Santa Margarita Ranch is in the southern portion of the greater Paso Robles AVA.