Wine Outlook

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.

Speaking of visitors, Kenny G’s friend Jacky, of Dragon Village fame, came by to enjoy some Rosenblum wine in person rather than at his restaurant. Kenny G was working the wine club table, where he would blow his whistle each time someone signed up, giving them a secret pour of the 2003 Monte Rosso Zin and a little happy, such as a baseball hat, luggage tag, or wine opener. We had nearly 100 people join the Rosenblum family that weekend!

As for the entertainment, that’s my friend Trisha there on the right. She was singing on Saturday, despite sound issues, and some people had a hard time hearing her lovely voice. It was quite frustrating, especially for her, since everyone was crowded into the tent (the forecast had called for rain) and their chatter formed a muffled hum. We made up for the stess later that evening when she and Kelly stayed over and I made them and BK a semi-gourmet meal with cocktails and sparkling wine.

There’s always the need to unwind after the hustle and bustle of Open House. So Saturday night we stayed in and drank and laughed. Sunday night, a whole bunch of us Rosenblum folks went over to Forbidden Island, a fabulous little tiki lounge where we drank Banana Mamacows and let the tension melt away….

p.s. Wisely, St.George Spirits closes early on the weekends when we have our big hoopla.

Rosenblum Cellars Open House, Angela’s Restaurant, Dragon Village, Forbidden Island