Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Satisfying and seamless, this Cabernet- based cuvée utilizes all five Bordeaux varieties, grown in the calcium-rich, sea-fossil-laden soils of the winery's estate vineyards. Aged for two years in (80% new) French oak, the wine opens with a garden of violets grown in crushed stone. Dramatic layers of ripe plum, black cherry, and mocha emerge with a rich, robust character.
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James Suckling
A creamy layer on top of the currants, spices, olives and the peppercorn edge. This shows some depth on the palate with some olive and tobacco characters in the medium- to full-bodied palate. Tightly wound. 72% cabernet sauvignon, 11% cabernet franc, 9% petit verdot, 6% merlot and 2% malbec.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a dense and dry blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Charred chocolate nibs, dried figs, wet earth and berry aromas lead from the nose into a tarry palate that warms up into dried herbs and cocoa dust.
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.