Santa Margarita Ranch lies in the southern most aspect of the Paso Robles AVA around the town of Santa Margarita and the closest to San Luis Obispo. The topography of the region demonstrates high, steep mountain slopes of ancient Salinas River and upper reaches of incised contemporary Salinas River along the Rinconada Fault. Elevations run 900 - 1,400 feet.

Soils are deep alluvial soils derived from many lithologies and varying in texture, with patchy residual soils on mountain slopes.