Ancient Peaks, Zinfandel, Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles, California, 2022

Overview of the Wine
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.

Sustainable. 

Winemakers
Mike Sinor & Stewart Cameron

Grape / Blend
100% Zinfandel

Origin
Paso Robles, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The Zinfandel entices the nose with fresh aromas of crushed raspberry, sandalwood, vanilla cream, and coffee. A soft, spicy mouthfeel unfolds with juicy flavors of strawberry, cherry, brambleberry, and black plum. Secondary hints of dried rosemary and earthy leather bring added complexity to the wine’s fruit forward character, while peppery notes linger on a smooth,
rounded finish. A Zinfandel of depth and finesse.

92 Points - The Tasting Panel (The Somm Journal)
Quintessential ripe berry and plum fruit aromas are joined by vanilla and peppercorn spice in this textbook Zin. It’s grown on an estate vineyard 14 miles from the Pacific—the most southerly in Paso Robles. The result is a red of effusive energy and real charm, fruit-forward enough to sip on its own and with enough spice and structure to sing alongside grilled meats. - The Tasting Panel, May/June 2025. 

91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Red plum, cherry and mulling spice aromas draw the nose into this estate bottling. The body shows a decent heft as crisp cherry, mace and nutmeg flavors lead into a lightly bitter finish that brings balance. 

Product size: 750ml