Margerum Wine Company
“The Barden brand is my dream to create world-class wines using grapes from the renowned Sta. Rita Hills AVA,” says Founder Doug Margerum. “Applying the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in over 30 years in the wine industry, I feel the Barden wines are truly exceptional. Barden is my middle name and literally translates to ‘one who lives near the boar’s den’ – a nod to the wild boars that roam these vineyards.”
With its diverse, marine-based soils and refrigerated-sunlight climate, the Sta. Rita Hills is a perfect place to find fruit that showcases the region’s classic typicity for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. “We have been making Pinot Noir under the Barden label the longest of any of the wines,” notes Doug. “Every single vintage has scored 92 points or higher. We strive to make limited-production wines with personality naturally. In 2020, Santa Barbara County had a cool spring and mild summer that extended the growing season. Harvest began in the last half of August and was very quick and even, with yields that were average to below average. This helped to produce pronounced flavors and aromatics in the fruit. Most importantly, we did not have the fires that plagued the vineyards to the north. We were very happy with the quality of the fruit and the ‘numbers’ (pH, T.A., Alc.) were right on, resulting in very balanced wines. For this bottling, only free-run juice was used. The wine underwent 10-month maturation on full lees and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
You can taste both the Margerum and Barden wines at our tasting room in the Funk Zone in downtown Santa Barbara.”
The fabulous wines we featured:
Barden 2020 Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara Pinot Noir
- 93 Points, Vinous
- Pair with: Doug Margerum’s recipe for Peppercorn-Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna. Find this recipe in the Recipe & Tips section of our website.
- Enjoy now or hold up to 20 years.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, a complex array of red fruits like cranberry, pomegranate, and mulberries mix with red tropical flowers and earthy elements of mushrooms, dried herbs, and sandalwood. The wine has a lovely complement of wood aromas of vanilla and toast. On the palate, concentrated fruit impressions with great structure and mouthfeel.
Winemaker's Notes
Barden 2020 Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara Pinot Noir: All fruit for this wine came from four organically farmed vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills: La Encantada (64%), Sanford & Benedict (26%), Radian (7%), and Peake Ranch (1%).
Santa Barbara County
Doug Margerum
Doug Margerum