I want to share the bittersweet news that the Margins journey is coming to an end. No matter how long you have been part of the Margins community, I am eternally grateful for your support of my little dream. Direct to consumer sales are the lifeblood of a small winery. Your support allowed us to fund organic and regenerative farmers through our grape purchases, promote equity and inclusion in the wine industry through my work on the board of The Vinguard, and create a workplace culture built on respect, support, and upward mobility.

Those who came in close contact with Margins could feel that there was something different about it. We functioned less as a business and more of a collective. The working culture for interns and employees was horizontal and collaborative, allowing space for growth and increased responsibility. My idealist values defined the scope of the business from day one–leading us to keep the prices of the wines affordable and artificially low, in spite of the meticulous nature of their production.

Ultimately, it was the rejection of living with such a high level of financial stress that led me to the decision to cease producing wine. We all have different life circumstances, and the conditions defining my life simply do not allow me to continue production of Margins any longer. 

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support. You were part of what made Margins such a special thing to be part of for the last 10 years. Margins Wine Cubby in its current iteration as our tasting room will be open though the end of April. If you ever wanted to visit but haven’t yet, I invite you to please schedule an appointment. We will be hosting a ticketed Farewell to Margins event in Santa Cruz the evening of Saturday, April 25. Please grab a ticket here if you would like to join!

I share this news in a state of acceptance, positivity, and forward-looking hope. I am proud of what Margins was able to accomplish with the support of you and my extended community, and I am excited to see what my future holds.

All the best,

Megan Bell