It’s just a scenic ferry ride from downtown San Francisco to the quirky and beloved Rosenblum Cellars Visitor Center. For more than 30 years, Rosenblum Cellars has been one of California’s pioneering Zinfandel brands.
Originally founded by Kent Rosenblum, the winery in Alameda, California relies on long-term and very close relationships with small production, high quality growers all over Northern California. “We have more than 50 wines in production,” notes Winemaker John Kane. “They include many different varietals, single vineyards, appellation designates, and reserve wines. I like to leave the growing to the experts and they let me focus on the winemaking.”
The allure of Zinfandel has created many Zinfanatics—those with a consuming interest in the jammy, fruit-forward, concentrated varietal. They wait (with an interest that can border on obsessive) for each annual release of more than 50 Rosenblum wines.
For years, the unique urban setting in an old warehouse on an industrial dock had its own funky charm for guests and devout Rosenblum wine club members. Last year, the Rosenblum Cellars Visitors Center interior received a complete facelift. The walls are painted in chocolate and scarlet shades to match its new wine labels. A new modular tasting bar dominates the center of the hangar space with cozy furnished nooks among the barrels—ideal for leisurely wine tasting. A former storage area has been transformed into a swanky private tasting room, and the club members tasting room has become a modern loft bar with glimpsed views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. There’s also a sunny outdoor deck that is often packed on weekends.
The Rosenblum Visitors Center hosts a packed events calendar with details and ticket sales available online. Events like Thursday Jazz & Wine Nights, Elvis tribute celebrations, and barbecue demonstrations happen often—sometimes all in one week. First-time Zinfanatics will be excited to discover this new urban wine bar with wines to match.
WHAT TO BUY
’09 Rockpile Zinfandel – $40
Plum, cherry, warm molasses, boysenberry, red currants
Monte Rosso Zinfandel – $45
Dark fruit, cracked white pepper, spice
’09 Maggie’s Zinfandel – $45
Dark fruit, cocoa, spice, rich molasses, blackberry, chocolate-covered cherry
CONTACT
510-995-4100
info@rosenblumcellars.com
rosenblumcellars.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 11–6
2900 Main St., Ste. 1100
Alameda, CA 94501
SPECIAL NOTES
Wine club discounts and events, barrel tastings, scenic view, pet friendly, special events.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
