I started my food and wine explorations while traveling with my parents at age 14 in France. My passion for food and wine was enhanced as I worked in restaurants as a cook and server throughout my high school and college years.
Coinciding with my graduation from UCSB in 1981, my family purchased Wine Cask in Santa Barbara, which quickly expanded to include a simple bistro adjacent to the existing wine store. In 1994 Wine Cask became one of 74 restaurants in the world to earn the Wine Spectator Grand Award.
I sold Wine Cask in 2007 after deciding to devote all of my energies to wine making. MARGERUM WINE COMPANY was established in 2001. My philosophy is to return to wine making in its previous form of production – handcrafted and personal.
I am also the winemaker/consultant for Happy Canyon Vineyards, Rancho Boa Vista, La Encantada Vineyards and Paradise Springs of Santa Barbara.
