Wine and food on their own are delightful, but when paired together, they can elevate each other in unexpected ways. A sip of wine can brighten the flavors of a dish, while a perfectly matched bite can reveal hidden nuances in the glass. It’s a sensory experience that transforms an ordinary meal into something memorable. While tasting wines on their own is a common experience, some Santa Barbara wineries, like Margerum Wine Company and Lieu Dit, take it a step further by offering curated food pairings, thoughtfully designed to complement and elevate their wines.

Margerum Wine Company

Margerum Wine Company, established by Doug Margerum in 2011, is a well-respected winery in Santa Barbara, known for producing high-quality wines with a focus on Rhône varietals and blends. In 2014, Doug started BARDEN wines, focusing on grapes sourced from vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills. In 2015, Doug opened his tasting room in the Funk Zone in downtown Santa Barbara. Located near Santa Barbara’s waterfront at the Hotel Californian, Margerum Wine Company offers tastings from both Margerum and BARDEN, or wines by the glass. In addition to tasting wine, the tasting room has a full kitchen and offers a full menu.

Offering food pairing is a natural option for Doug Margerum, who makes wines meant to pair with food. Before pursuing winemaking, Doug worked in the restaurant industry, specifically he started working at the Wine Cask after his family purchased it in 1981. The bistro expanded into the next door wine store and in 1994, Wine Cask became one of 74 restaurants in the world to earn the Wine Spectator Grand Award. Doug sold Wine Cask in 2007 to focus on wine.

At Margerum Wine Company, pairing food with wine is more than just an option—it’s part of the experience. Doug Margerum, whose background in the restaurant industry gives him a deep understanding of how food and wine enhance one another, has crafted a tasting room that combines the elegance of a French bistro with the laid-back vibe of Santa Barbara. The elegant two-story space with an outdoor patio offers tables, couches, and a large bar where you can enjoy your experience.

Whether you opt for a wine flight or wines by the glass, the thoughtfully curated menu offers a variety of choices, from light bites such as smoked duck toast with cherry mostarda and warm brie and caramelized onion tartine to shareable plates like the SB Smokehouse Salmon Bagel Board. For a more substantial meal, there are salads, sandwiches, and flatbread pizzas. Each dish is designed to complement Margerum and BARDEN wines, enhancing the flavors with every bite.

Whether you’re drawn to the bistro-style elegance of Margerum Wine Company or the minimalist charm of Lieu Dit, both tasting rooms offer an opportunity to experience the best of Santa Barbara’s local wine and food scene in the heart of downtown. By pairing locally grown ingredients with world-class wines, both wineries elevate the wine-tasting experience into something truly unforgettable.