The vines of Zayante Vineyard with mountains in the background

Zayante Vineyard
AVA: Santa Cruz Mountains

Year Planted: 1988
Acres: 18 total planted; 5 rows of Barbera
Varietal: Barbera
Elevation: 1160 ft
Soil: Loam, Sandstone, Schist, Shale
Farming: Organic, dry farmed

Zayante is a unique vineyard for Santa Cruz in that it is planted to ten different varietals. Although Margins is only working with the small block of Barbera, I feel a kinship to this vineyard from past years of working with the many different types of vines planted here when I was working for another local winery. The vineyard sits between 1100 and 1300 feet in elevation. This is the only Barbera planted in the Santa Cruz Mountains as far as I know, and I am grateful to be the one who has the privilege to work with it.

The vineyard foliage on a foggy day
The tops of vines with a long view into the mountains
Megan holding a grape cluster in the vineyard
A grape cluster being held up in a gloved hand