Santa Barbara Company's Best Red Wine Picks

Hey there wine enthusiasts! If you’re anything like us, you know that finding the perfect bottle can transform any gathering into a memorable occasion. Whether it's hosting a dinner party, enjoying a cozy night in, or simply looking to treat yourself, the right wine can elevate any experience.

Here are our top 5 red wine picks that showcase the amazing tastemakers from our beautiful region and embody the spirit of the central coast.

 

Margerum Santa Barbara County M5 Rhone Blend

This crowd favorite landed in the 17th spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list in 2023 - and for good reason!  Margerum Santa Barbara County M5 Rhone Blend is Margerum's flagship wine, inspired by the southern French Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It's a blend of five grapes (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, and Cinsault) that altogether create M5’s distinct cherry and cinnamon notes enriched by subtle hints of garrigue and cracked pepper.

It's made right here in Santa Barbara by Doug Margerum who has been in the food and wine scene for over 35 years. Staying true to the philosophy of handcrafted and personal winemaking, Margerum Winery produces limited quantities of wines made from grapes grown on both their Estate vineyard and grapes purchased from other top vineyards within and around Santa Barbara County. 

This wine is smooth, easy-drinking and complements nearly every type of cuisine. With its convenient screw top, it's an reliable favorite for any occasion.

Own Rooted Field Blend

Born to be a show stopper and for our more adventurous wine lovers – next up is the Own Rooted Field Blend from Stolpman Vineyards. A field blend is when different grape varieties grow side by side and are harvested together. This blend of Mourvedre, Grenache, and Syrah grapes comes from a special section of Stolpman's estate vineyards, planted on own-rooted vines to better showcase the region's terroir.

Coming from Stolpman’s So Fresh label, this hip wine is as natural as they come, made with indigenous yeast and no added sulfur. Stolpman harvests their wines early for lighter wines with higher acidity and a pure fruit profile. Expect zingy red fruits and candy flavors in this seriously natural wine.

Alma Rosa Pinot Noir

For our trendsetters out there, we've got the Alma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. This wine comes from the historic Alma Rosa Winery which is deeply rooted in the winemaking history of the Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara and founded by Richard Sanford - a true Santa Barbara wine pioneer. The famous Sta. Rita Hills region is where Santa Barbara's #1 grape, Pinot Noir comes from. Their home ranch, El Jabali, was also one of the first certified organic vineyards on the central coast. 

This wine is complex with aromas of dark fruits, earth, and cedar. The winemakers note black cherry, dried orange peel, root beer, and spice flavors making it the perfect fireside or cozy night Pinot. 

Rusack Ballard Canyon Estate Syrah

Syrah is the most planted red grape in Santa Barbara County and Rusack's  Ballard Canyon Estate Syrah is a true classic. Their vineyards are located in the Ballard Canyon AVA – the only Syrah-focused AVA in the entire United States!

This wine presents the quintessential aromas of Ballard Canyon, featuring notes of cassis and blackberry along with hints of licorice. This wine has rich flavors of dried cherries, blackberries, and cocoa, all enveloped in velvety tannins that leave a lasting impression.

Rangeland Adelaida District Cabernet Sauvignon

Last but not least, we’ve got one of our team’s personal favorites - the Rangeland Adelaida District Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine comes from Rangeland Wines in the Adelaida district of Paso Robles. They approach wine with a hands-on, and sustainable ethos which really shines through in their wines. 

This fruit forward, quintessential Paso Cab has notes of black currant, cherry, bay leaves, cedar, and fig. It's well-made and perfect for those nights when you want something special without breaking the bank. For a more mid-priced offering, we also love the EJ Church Long Meadow Ranch Napa Cabernet Sauvignon for a classic Napa pick. 

And there you have it - Santa Barbara Company's top wine picks! Whether you're a casual sipper or a serious wine connoisseur, there's something here for everyone. Cheers!