Lowcountry Wine Collaboration Comes Full-Circle
November 2023 Issue
By Lesley Kyle
Photography by Lindsay Gifford
Margaret Pearman grew up in the family restaurant business but pursued a college degree in Italian Language. She studied some art in college and has regretted not pursuing it further. “The high school art scene was tough and highly critical, that’s probably why I shied away from it,” said Margaret. After college, Margaret returned to the Lowcountry and became a wine representative. Soon, the 2008 financial crisis loomed, and Margaret decided to move back in with her parents. During the recession, she worked at Rollers Wine and Spirits when the restaurant wasn’t as busy. “Wine was a way to live an international life,” said Margaret, “but the cards didn’t play out that way.” Margaret’s mom, Nancy Golson, suggested she start painting again, and it soon became a daily practice. After growing up in the shadow of her parents’ iconic Hilton Head restaurant, Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte, painting gave Margaret her own sense of identity. Margaret’s mother owned Eggs ‘n’ Tricities, a gift shop in Bluffton, and sold her daughter’s artwork there.
Rollers selected small French wineries, generations-deep in wine making, to produce the vintages
Meanwhile, Rollers Wine and Spirits served customers—locals and visitors alike—who continually requested quality, reasonably priced local wines. Ideally, those wines would also pay homage to the Lowcountry culture. Sensing an opportunity, Rollers invested in their own private label wines: Wines that customers could proudly serve in their homes and share with friends and family as gifts. Since South Carolina isn’t a wine making hub, Rollers selected small French wineries, generations-deep in wine making, to produce the vintages. Private label vintages are rare opportunities, and the sommeliers at Rollers were already familiar with their products.
A year and a half ago, Rollers embarked on their journey to develop their private label red, white, and sparkling wines. “The decision to make the bubbles, brut in style wasn’t difficult for us,” said Stephanie Skager, certified sommelier and wine director at Rollers’ Palmetto Bay Road store. “We were going for wines that would satisfy a broad spectrum of wine drinkers.” Her colleague, Paige Lorberbaum, added, “Lowcountry Bubbles is made in the true champagne method, but in the Limoux region of France.”
The red wine, named Bow Hog Red, required more thought and discussion. Initially, the wine was presented fully oaked, and then fully unoaked. The Rollers’ team wanting a blend of both flavors landed on a mix of 85-percent stainless and 15-percent oak casks with 12 months of aging. The white wine, named Calibogue White, is a more affordable alternative to the currently popular French wine, Sancerre. All three wines are grown and produced organically and sustainably.
Rollers decided to name the wines after the Lowcountry to be inclusive of the region. With decisions made on the types of wine they would produce, the Rollers’ team turned its attention to the bottle labels. Stephanie approached Margaret to design
the labels.
“I truly enjoy her artwork and thought she would do it, but I thought she would present me with paintings she had already done,” said Stephanie. “But she didn’t. She put time and care into these exclusive designs.” Margaret was thrilled to be asked and embarked on her own journey to create unique and playful wine bottle labels for each vintage. Stephanie added, “Some of Margaret’s paintings hang in my house, and I admire the influence and reputation she has earned in the food and wine culture of our island.”
Margaret and the Rollers Staff met to discuss and determine the look of the Lowcountry Wine labels. Images of significance to the Lowcountry dominate the labels Margaret artfully created. The Lowcountry Bubbles label features a shrimp boat named “Daddy’s Girls” after Bluffton Oyster Factory and boat owner, Larry Toomer. Calibogue White is reminiscent of a sauvignon blanc, and the label features a local spottail bass (a.k.a. red drum) in the clutches of a crab. Bow Hog Red features the crescent moon, a palm tree, and indigenous wildlife on its label. Rollers also consulted an artist/graphic designer friend before making final decisions. Carey Schwartzburt from Savannah developed the logo which bears a heron and an alligator. From beginning to end, the project took approximately three months.
Margaret now co-owns the restaurant she grew up in with her brother, Palmer—Charlie’s Coastal Bistro on New Orleans Road in Hilton Head. The restaurant proudly claims 41 years of service, and Margaret, a certified sommelier under the Court of Master Sommeliers, curates Charlie’s award-winning wine list from which diners can select these Rollers’ brand wines.
Her children and the restaurant are busier than ever, so Margaret rises early each day to carve out time to paint. “Our ages don’t differ very much, but she definitely had a jump start on me with wine knowledge and training,” said Stephanie. “Since our kiddos are the same age, we run into each other all the time, and I’m proud to call her a friend.” Margaret’s and Rollers Wine and Spirits’ collab has come full circle!
Rollers Wine & Spirits' Private Label Wines are the official wine of the
Pink Partini. They're available for purchase at:
9 Palmetto Bay Road, HHI | 6 Lagoon Road, HHI in Coligny Plaza
95 Mathews Drive Unit 1-A, HHI in Port Royal Plaza
Charlie's Coastal Bistro, 8 New Orleans Road, HHI
Pictured Above (L to R): Maggi Melin, Floor Manager & Assistant Wine Buyer; Paige Lorberbaum, Marketing & E-Commerce Manager; Nicky Geoffroy, Certified Sommelier,
Store Manager & Wine Buyer; Camille Copeland, Certified Sommelier & General Manager;
Margaret Golson Pearman, Label Artist; Marla Morris, Certified Sommelier,
Wine Buyer/Customer Service Specialist