A few short years ago, Megan Bell was determined to start her own business in the wine trade, not an easy feat. As the owner/winemaker of Margins Wine, she has accomplished her goal.
Unique about Margins is that grapes are harvested from what Bell describes as underrepresented regions, vineyards and varietals.
“We are part of the growing movement in California to make wines from vineyards farmed organically or in organic conversion using minimal additives during the winemaking process, thereby showcasing the vineyards the grapes came from,” she says.
In the case of the delicious 2020 Mourvèdre ($30), grapes were grown in Sattler’s Vineyard in the hot, dry foothills of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains. Vineyard owner Ed Sattler planted Mourvèdre and Counoise vines in 2009 and has been “intimately involved in farming since the beginning.” Bell goes out of her way to find these glorious vineyards that are not always on the forefront.
The Mourvèdre was fermented on skins for 10 days, aged in neutral oak for nine months—with no fining, no filtration and no other modifications or additions except 20 ppm of sulfur dioxide the week before bottling. The result is a beautiful red wine with mouthwatering flavors of guava, cassis and the subtropical feijoa fruit.
As Bell expands her business, she has started hosting private appointment-only tastings at her Watsonville winery. Wines by Margins can be found locally at AJ’s Market, Bad Animal, Soif and Staff of Life. She also has a wine club, so check out her upcoming spring releases. Visit marginswine.com for more info.
Outstanding in the Field
The winter 2022 Outstanding in the Field dinners will be happening in California from Feb.6-20. These culinary feasts—both for the eye and the palate—are run by Santa Cruz’s chef/artist Jim Denevan and are held in farms, orchards, caves, deserts and more. These dining extravaganzas are also held in other states and Mexico, should you want to travel far for dinner! Visit outstandinginthefield.com for info.
