Please note that these wines and winery label are no longer available, but are kept here on STW as part of the classic Temecula wine making history:

As one of the original valley vineyard pioneers, and one of our favorite wine people, Barrett Bird planted his first grapes in 1974, produced his first crush in 1985, and has released a wine every year since. Vick Knight, in his book "Toasting Temecula Wines", called him "the one man winery"....  and Barrett has for years, done it all himself (with the exception of grape picking, on each year's harvest). From tending his 10 acre vineyard, to  the crush, ferminting, aging, bottling, labeling, and ultimately wine pourings, tasting, and sales..... all from his little wine making facility at 33490 Madera de Playa Drive (located just south, and up around the corner from the beaten path of Rancho California Road and Calle Contento). Santa Margarita Vineyard and Winery is named after the small river that flows out through the "Santa Rosa Gap", a small pass in the Santa Rosa Plataeu (the bottom end of the Santa Ana Mountian range, in the southwest corner of the Temecula Valley). This pass (along with the Rainbow Gap, near Pechanga Resort) allows cool evening fog to come into the valley from the Pacific Ocean, nearly every early morning during the Fall and Spring months, creating the perfect  grape growing Micro climate. Barrett Bird is one of the original Temecula grape growers and pioneer wine makers, and named his winery as a tribute to this natural elemet which makes "this valley the great grape growing place it has become". Barrett specializes in Cabernet Savignon, and his "seasoned cooperage" (some of his barrels predate World War II) give his Cabs a distinct light and mellow characteristic, but pulls forward an incrdible heart of fruit, with a signature that is truly unlike any of the other Reds in the Valley.... and at incredibly reasonable prices! Additionally, Barrett produces two very pleasant light "whites", aged the same way, and well worth their reasonable price, as well! Don't pass this little place by when you come to the valley, though he is typically only open weekends (October to March). You can also make special appointments, for anytime, during the week, by calling 951-676-4431. Barrett Bird's wines of Santa Margarita Winery are exclusively, and only, available for shipping on STW! Barrett Bird is pictured here in the WineCountryTalkRadio(TM) studios in October 2004. Listen to this original interview/show archive while browsing, by clicking here:  http://twines.net/Sounds/10-16-04.mp3