I think there are a few more slots available for the first wine seminar this Wednesday at 6:30. Call 510-995-4100 if you’re interested in the Zinfandel History and Tasting or the next one–Component Analysis– on January 30. I’ll update on the other classes as they get closer.
Or almost, anyway. After a mind-boggling December, January is starting off very slowly. While this is not such good news for me and the rest of the crew, it is good news for you, the Rosenblum fans out there. Typically our least busy month, January is the perfect time to come visit the winery and not have to fight the crowds as much as usual. You’ll get more attention and can maybe even talk us into a tour, if there is enough staff to cover the room.
Hey, I know what you could do. Make a day of it. Start at Rosenblum for a tasting, marveling at how creative the notes on the menu are. (Whoever could have written them? you’ll wonder) Then if the weather isn’t too bad, grab a turkey and avocado sandwich from Domenico’s–my new favorite deli–and head over to Lake Merritt to eat it, people and goose watching while you do, and then a walk. If it’s as gloomy as it has been, go to La Pinata 3 for a tasty carne asada bowl to warm you up and then check out St. George Spirits for a vodka tasting. Or maybe you’d rather sit and throw peanuts on the floor at Quinn’s Lighthouse, where the seafood is delicious and the wine is cheap. Next stop: Jack London Square to taste at JC Cellars and Dashe or to return gifts and get a few more for yourself at the shops along the way. By the way, Cost Plus World Market is having a great sale right now.
Rosenblum fans, Domenico’s, La Pinata 3, Quinn’s Lighthouse, Cost Plus World Market
Don’t forget that the wine seminars I’ll be co-teaching are coming up soon. The first one is not too far away:
Zinfandel History and Tasting
Wednesday, January 16
from 6:30 to 8:30
at the Alameda winery
$40, $35 for club members
Call 510-995-4100 or come by the winery to get a spot (not too many left….)
Zinfandel History and Tasting, East bay wine classes, wine seminars, wine classes
If you’ve been to Rosenblum, you may have been to St. George’s Spirits down the road and around the corner. And if you went today–Friday–you’ll know that it was a madhouse what with the release of the Absinthe Verte. I had some the previous night though we were too busy in the tasting room to get over there even if I wanted to. As far as we could tell, some people in the very long line were turned away due to lack of bottles, but their information was taken for later availablity.
If you want to read more, click on the link above for my tasting notes.
Learn More About Wine…
We just announced the list and dates of the wine education seminars Sean and I will be teaching next year, with Miguel’s help when he’s back.
Whether it’s for yourself or as a gift, what better location to gain more wine knowledge than at a winery? Especially one like Rosenblum where you know you’ll have fun…
Each seminar will be an intimate gathering designed to introduce you to specific aspects of wine, in an entertaining and informative manner. Wines, instructional materials, and, in some cases, food will be provided. All classes held at the Alameda Winery from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
2008 Seminar Schedule (more…)
Last Saturday and Sunday we had our quarterly Rosenblum Cellars Open House. Even though I was working, I could see how much fun everyone was having. How could they not?? With about 50 wines to taste, good music, and tasty treats from Angela’s Restaurant, including a carving station with peppered tri-tip (a great companion to Zinfandel)….My favorite new release, though I didn’t taste them all, was the 2005 Holbrook Mitchell Syrah.
Another great thing is that in addition to new wines, we usually have 2 or 3 barrel samples available for tasting, which can be purchased as futures, at a discount. Then when the wine is bottled and released, those customers can pick them up. You only have to be a little imaginative, thinking ahead to what the wine will taste like. This time we sampled the 2006 Lyons Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel from Napa Valley and the 2006 Pato Vineyard Petite Sirah from Contra Costa County. Both growers–Cap Lyons and Richard Pato–have been into the tasting room in the past couple weeks to taste and buy wines, which is always fun. (more…)
After over four months of working at Rosenblum Cellars, I finally made it over to St. George Spirits, home of Hangar One vodka. The company actually shared space with Rosenblum back when we were located in Emeryville and then when we moved to Alameda. With their tasting room in what our reserve room is now–used for small events and private tastings, and also where my study group meets–they needed more room. Not too long ago, they moved onto the old naval base. After hitting up the Antiques By the Bay–held nearby on the first Sunday of the month– and scoring a few finds such as a shabby chic table and an old Betty Crocker’s Guide to Easy Entertaining, we went to sample some vodka and such. They pour a tasting menu of around 10-12 different spirits for $10, glass included. BK and I shared one menu and my three girlfriends split 2. You definitely don’t need your own; there’s plenty…
Some of my favorites were the White Tea Qi and the Hangar One Mandarin Blossom. Sadly, we couldn’t try the chipotle or wasabi vodka or the basil Eau de Vie as they aren’t currently available. But we had some other interesting goodies, including the smoked black tea Qi and a late-harvest viognier.
The hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 12-7 and Sunday 12-6. If you plan on trying to go to our winery and the distillery on the same day, I’d definitely share tastes and have a meal in between.
St. George Spirits, Hangar One vodka, Antiques By the Bay, distillery in Alameda, thiings to do in the East Bay
Today is the second day of our Open House. While I’ll give a full report soon, I just wanted to remind you, readers and drinkers, in case you’re looking for something to do today. And to tell you that while we were thinking of going with another company for the Zinfandel ice cream, nobody does it better than Tucker’s…. So don’t worry. It’s the same good stuff you’re used to! Much fun was had yesterday, but there’s plenty left for today.
Greetings, readers and drinkers! This is just a quick reminder to say that Rosenblum Cellars Open House is this weekend, November 17 & 18 from 12 to 5. Tickets are available online even up to the day of the event, with better rates for wine club members.
I also wanted to let you know which wines will be highlighted as new releases:
2005 Cullinane Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel (we’ve been making this one from the very beginning, and it got started running when it won a gold medal the first year)
2005 Kick Ranch Reserve Syrah
2006 Heritage Clones Petite Sirah (good thing because the highly-rated 2005 just sold out this weekend)
2006 Contra Costa County Zinfandel (part of the Appellation Series, formerly known as San Francisco Bay)
2005 Anthony’s Merlot (Anthony is Holbrook Mitchell’s son and also a grower)
2005 St. Peter’s Church Reserve Zinfandel (which people are always asking about and Premier club members got a sneak preview of in Septmeber)
2005 Holbrook Mitchell Syrah (quite possibly my favorite of the bunch)
Cuvee XXX Zinfandel (just in time for the winery’s 30th anniversary)
I may be leaving out one or two, but there’s going to be so many more, anyway, with what’s available currently. And there will also be barrel samples. I’ll be working the registers again, but I plan to thoroughly enjoy my break both days. You know it’s a good place to be when everyone working is having almost as much–if not more–fun as/than everyone attending the party….
Rosenblum Cellars Open House, wine fun, East Bay wine events
Get your wine fun going in the East Bay with this week’s tasting menu at Rosenblum…
Complimentary Tasting
White & Rosé
2005 Rosé, North Coast, Appellation Series $6 (amazingly low final price!)
Get the turkey ready for these bright cherries, raspberries, and strawberries that interlock with rhubarb and lemon
2005 Roussanne, Santa Barbara, Appellation Series $18
Stroll down a stony path lined with pineapple plants,
through orchards of peach, pear and apple trees, as honey bees buzz about
Reds
2005 Pinot Noir, Lone Oak Vineyard, Russian River Valley $22 ON SALE from $28
Run through strawberry fields until you’re almost exhausted, then refresh yourself with a cherry vanilla cola and candied figs
2005 Zinfandel, Richard Sauret, Paso Robles $25
Dive off a slice of cherry pie
into a pool of decadently rich raspberry and blackberry jam
2005 Syrah, England-Shaw Vineyard, Solano County $35
Set the fireplace ablaze
while the fig, plum, and walnut kuchen (German for cake) bakes in the oven
*Reserve Flight - $5.00 * (more…)
Remember how much fun the last one was? This time I’ve giving you plenty of notice, so mark your calendars, no debate. That’s right, Rosenblum Cellars Open House is a little over a month away, and you don’t want to miss it!
Actually, this time you have two options, as the one in Healdsburg is the weekend before Alameda’s. Therefore, no excuses, people. Unless of course, you live too far away. And even then, there are some people who plan their vacations around Open House. It’s that fun.
Details:
What: Holiday Hoopla + Open House
When: November 17 - 18 (Saturday & Sunday), 12-5
Where: Rosenblum Cellars 2900 Main St. Alameda, CA
How much: $40 at door– general admission…$25 at door–wine club members and ZAP and Rhone Ranger members with cards
How to save: Buy tickets online! $30 general public….$20 club members
For more information or to buy tickets, go here.
What else you need to know: (more…)
What do hard-working ladies decide to do one random Friday afternoon? Go to Old Oakland and have themselves a leisurely, well-deserved luncheon. Plus, it was the day before Kathy Rosenblum’s birthday…and what better way to celebrate with everyone’s favorite 2nd mom? We went to B Restaurant, a cute little place overlooking the farmer’s market.
We ordered one bottle off the menu, a Allimant Laugner Cremant D’Alsace Brut Rose with which to toast. It’s a wine I’ve had several times before and always enjoyed the light crispness. A fun and slightly different bottle of bubbles. Cheers, for sure!
After that, it was all Rosenblum wines, especially Kathy’s Cuvee Viognier (so named for being the wine of choice for the birthday girl). We also had some of the Chateau la Paws Cote du Bone Blanc–a blend of Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, and Roussanne. Both wines are extremely refreshing and full of tropical fruit flavors. The only complaint would be that it took quite a while to get them opened!
The food was very good, though. Despite their being out of my choice of pulled pork with skillet cornbread, I enjoyed the light preparation of halibut over corn, spinach, and tomatoes. I also got to sneak bites of Kelly’s duck confit sandwich and Shauna’s boxed chicken salad. All yummy.
Of course, as soon as I got back to the tasting room, it was all work for a busy Friday afternoon.
Goodbye Peninsula, hello East Bay…Tomorrow is the big day! I’m moving into my new (much bigger, cheers) apartment in Alameda. Readers and drinkers, do you know what this means? Instead of an hour or so to get to work, I can now be there in 10 minutes. What does this mean to you? More time to write! Once I get settled in, I promise to catch up on my many unwritten posts. Also, I’ll have a dining area now, so when I get a chance to purchase a table, that means more wine dinners and pairings.
…..Hmmm, where do you suppose I got all my boxes for packing?
This update is a little late in coming, but if you missed out on the second annual East Bay Vintner’s Festival, you definitely need to make it to the third! Fifteen wineries cheerfully poured a sampling of their wines, with many of the winemakers and owners proudly telling you about their goods. Though I only got to sample a small portion of what was offered, I know I’ll be back.
These luscious cherry tomatoes were drizzled with olive oil and herbs over freshly baked bread. The Slow Food booth definitely made my mouth water and my senses spring to life. What a great idea–to only use food that’s freshly prepared and in season. Check out their philosophy. I didn’t realize the movement started in Italy, or at least its forerunner Arcigola. That makes complete sense to me, though, what with the use of local produce, homemade wines,etc.
A fan of Harley Farms goat cheese since I moved out here and had it for the first time…I couldn’t resist stopping by their booth. This is a large format wheel of cheese decorated with edible flowers, in the style of Monet. You can also get the chive log (my favorite) or small wheels covered in apricots, cranberries and walnuts, or other yummies.
Last but not least was this tiny scoop of divine peach ice cream. Even though I enjoyed A Donkey and Goat’s Tamarindo Roussanne, I didn’t think I would have paired it with the little cup of goodness. Better to enjoy both alone.
I also learned I need to do some more wine exploring in the East Bay. There’s more going on than you might think!
The morning started off correctly when Aura brought in baskets of homemade scones (courtesy of the ever-thoughtful Anne Marie): currant, hibiscus flower & ginger, or the savory ham & cheese. All was right with the world to get the day going with some coffee and nourishment and, of course, a few bottles of bubbly during our staff meeting before the madness began.
Though this is the smallest turnout of the four open houses we have, the crowds were sizable all weekend (somewhere over 2000 people flowed through the doors). Things seemed to go more smoothly on Sunday, and from what I hear, that’s always the case. Maybe practice does make perfect. Don’t get me wrong—people were having a grand time both days. Plus, BK and my Irish friend accepted my invitation to come visit, and they definitely enjoyed themselves. I even got to walk around at the start of each day, tasting just a handful (mainly new releases) of the 51 wines on hand. I know for a fact the food was good stuff because co-workers kindly made sure those of us chained to the registers got a sampling of meat balls, sausage, gnocchi, cheeses, and more.
This particular table of reserve Zinfandels was definitely one of the most popular and a must-stop on my list. It had the ever-favorite Monte Rosso, the brand new Lyons, and the last-ever vintage of Hendry (and my top pick) to be made by Rosenblum. Many wines were poured by eager volunteers,such as Dee there on the right, although some of the growers travel to pour the wine made from their own grapes. Overall, I think there were seventeen tables, with about sixty volunteers a day.
And of course, the day would not be complete without a taste of ice cream made from Zinfandel and chocolate chunks. Last time they used the Rockpile Zin, but the man serving up scoops didn’t know which wine went into this batch. I tried to figure it out from the taste, but then I was a little too busy saving precious drops from sliding down the cone and onto the pavement….
Later I’ll post tasting notes for the new releases, some of which are being poured in the tasting room as we read.
This site is your go-to for answers about wine, courtesy of someone in the business. Firsthand knowledge and hours of research logged each week provide informed and impassioned suggestions for what wine to serve with meals (sometimes with recipes), places to go for education or fun, and what to buy or not buy. Wine Outlook is where you go when you’ve had too much to drink or not enough.
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