Margins Wine: California's Champion of Underrepresented Terroir

Margins Wine is a captivating and innovative natural wine project based in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA of California. Founded in 2016 by Megan Bell, a highly skilled winemaker with a background in traditional enology (UC Davis, and apprenticeships in Napa, Willamette Valley, Central Otago, and the Loire Valley), Margins is driven by a unique mission: to highlight and celebrate grapes, regions, and vineyards that exist on the "margins" of mainstream wine recognition.

Megan works with small, dedicated growers across Northern and Central California, focusing on regions like Clarksburg, Arroyo Seco, Paicines, Carmel Valley, and Santa Cruz Mountains itself. Her core philosophy revolves around sourcing grapes from organically farmed vineyards, often assisting growers in transitioning to organic practices by providing guidance and a guaranteed home for their fruit. She champions lesser-known varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Muscat Blanc, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, Counoise, Sagrantino, Aligoté, and Assyrtiko, alongside more familiar ones like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, always seeking out unique expressions of California's diverse terroir.

In the cellar, Megan Bell's winemaking is a testament to her belief that clean, healthy fruit requires minimal intervention. She employs low-intervention techniques, starting with native yeast fermentations in all her wines. Crucially, Margins Wine uses minimal additives (SO2 only, and often at very low levels) and never employs temperature control, fining, or filtration. This hands-off approach allows the true character of the vineyard and variety to shine through, resulting in wines that are vibrant, expressive, and full of life. Her production has grown significantly since 2016, now producing around 2,800 cases annually of over 20 different wines. The distinctive, often minimalist or whimsical labels reflect the unique personality of each wine and Megan's artistic sensibility.

Margins Wine is celebrated for its purity, honesty, and adventurous spirit. They offer a refreshing perspective on Californian winemaking, showcasing the immense potential of its unsung vineyards and varieties through the lens of meticulous natural winemaking.