R&B CELLARS BLUE NOTE NEWSLETTER
March/April 2010
R&B Cellars
is Alameda's largest family-owned winery. Since 1997, R&B Cellars
has grown from 230 to 12,000 cases produced annually across nine
varietals.
  
Winery: Alameda Point Vintners at Rock Wall Wine Company � 2301 Monarch St., Alameda, CA 94501
Office: 1835 San Jose Ave. Alameda, CA 94501 | 510-749-8477 office | 510-749-8481 fax
info@rbcellars.com
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Kevin & Barbara Brown featured in San Francisco Chronicle's
On the Couch
Second time is really a charm for couple
Louise Rafkin, Special to The Chronicle
Sunday, February 28, 2010
"Barbara
is who I want to see first thing in the morning and last thing at night - and I
never felt that way before," Kevin Brown regarding wife Barbara.
Back
in high school, Kevin Brown, now 51, had big hair - the kind of 1970s hair that
had a mind of its own. "Weird hair," says his wife, Barbara Eddy
Brown, now 52.
In
Fairfield County, Conn., where they grew up, both ran with the chorus crowd. As
part of the Madrigals, they were committed musicians, but neither had eyes for
each other. After graduation, they went off on separate college trajectories.
But
in 1999 both were on board for a Madrigals reunion weekend. Kevin, then in wine
sales and marketing, came in from New Hampshire, his big hair shorn. Barbara, a
music teacher living with her husband and son in Brooklyn, didn't even
recognize him. But when Kevin opened his mouth, she heard "the voice"
- deep and resonant - and she smiled. The two, then married to others, spent
the weekend singing their hearts out together.
Inside
they were secretly contemplating the state of those hearts. Both were in
unhappy marriages, and by the end of the weekend, their fondness for each other
was obvious. "There were sparks," Kevin says, "but neither of us
wanted to see them."
During
the next year, whenever Kevin was in New York for work, the two would get
together for lunch. There were even dinners with Barbara's family. But without
talking about it, both were thinking the same thing: Why am I not with the
right person?
Then
one day they couldn't stop it. After a lunch, Barbara took Kevin's hand just as
he turned to kiss her. "Do we really want to do this?" Barbara asked.
They hesitated and retreated. But the next get-together changed things forever.
"Intense," says Barbara, who blushingly admits to making the first
move.
For
more than a year, they kept their secret while making plans to leave their
marriages. Each had one son; they didn't want to hurt their children or their
spouses. Several times, Barbara, whose son was younger, backed off and tried to
save her marriage. But in May 2002, Barbara remembers having a moment of
clarity: "Everyone deserved to be happy." She found herself an apartment
and soon called Kevin. "It's us," she said.
Both
divorced, and despite various complications, they say there is no animosity
with their exes. (Barbara's is happily remarried.) In 2004, having started
their own winery, R&B Cellars, they decided to move closer to where grapes
are grown. Their 1890s Alameda Victorian now serves as the company's offices.
In
2005 they married, with their nearly grown sons serving as attendants. "We
gave each other's son a ring," says Barbara, explaining their ceremony.
"They are intensely important to us."
Despite
their busy lives as vintners, each day they make time to sing together, with
Kevin on the grand piano.
Isn't
life grand?
On first marriages:
Barbara: "When you're young,
it's hard to know what will make you happy. ... People change."
Louise Rafkin has
contributed to the New York Times and NPR's "All Things Considered."
Couple suggestions? Send a story to onthecouch@sfchronicle.com.
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Donate $5 You could be the winner of a $450 mixed case of R&B Cellars Award-Winning Wines!
R&B Cellars is the National Wine Sponsor for CanDo Multiple Sclerosis, a foundation that leads the way with comprehensive programs that empower people living with MS to transform and improve the quality of life. With every $5 you donate, you get entered into the drawing, upping your chances to win! Please help us to raise money for this wonderful organization.
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http://tinyurl.com/ybt6hdo
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East Bay Vintner's Alliance
3rd Annual Passport to the
East Bay
April 10th
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Click here for more information.
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ORDER NOW BEFORE FREE SHIPPING ENDS!
R&B Cellars 2005 Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon
"BEST OF CLASS" "JUDGES' CHOICE"
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
This award validates R&B Cellars' commitment to
a traditional, European Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon program.
To
stand out amongst almost 5,000 wines tasted this year, is an incredible
proof point that using new French Oak, the finest Napa Valley estate
grapes and the magic of an experienced wine-making team, allows us to
offer the finest Napa Cabernet available on the market.
About the San Francisco Chronicle
Wine Competition
In 1983,
45 wines from 15 wineries entered the first competition, then called
the Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition. Since 2000, when the San
Francisco Chronicle took over naming rights for the competition and
moved the judging to The City, it has grown by leaps and bounds.
In
2006 over 900 wineries in the U.S. entered over 3,300 wines, making it
the world's largest competition of American wines. This year, over
4,900 wines were tasted. R&B holds the honor and proud recognition
to stand out amongst the competition.
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New Offerings
R&B Cellars Fortissimo Port
(Available now!)
Meet the newest member of R&B's family of wines,
R&B Cellars Fortissimo Port.
Varietal Breakdown:
50% Tinta Madeira
50% Touriga
Produced with a blend of the 2005 and 2007
vintages of both grapes.
375 mL - $19.99
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New Offerings
R&B Cellars Soaps
R&B Cellars now offers spa-quality soaps at only $5. The Champagne soap and the Cabernet Sauvignon soap are both delightfully scented and rich with natural emollients. FREE SHIPPING from January 31st - February 28th. Order now for a great wine-lover's stocking stuffer!
2 Options:
Champagne
Cabernet Sauvignon
$5.00/bar
Free Shipping
Don't forget to buy your blinking wine glass lapel pin!
$5.00/pin
Free Shipping
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R&B's Upcoming Events and Tastings
April
10: 3rd Annual "Passport to the East
Bay Wine Trail" presented by the East Bay Vintners Alliance, 12:00pm - 5:00pm, East
Bay, CA
Click here for more info.
April 15-18 - CanDo Multiple Sclerosis "Verticle Express"
LAST DAY TO DONATE: Friday April 16
Donate by clicking here.
April 16 - Alameda Education Foundation "Salute-to-Ecduation event at Rock Wall Wine Company, 6:00pm,
Alameda, CA
Featuring the wines of R&B Cellars, Rock Wall Wine Company and Blacksmith Cellars.
Purchase tickets at AlamedaEducationFoundation.org
April 17 - Wine Tasting at the Italian Men's Club, Emeryville, Time TBA
April 23 - Wine Tasting in Vacaville - more info to come
April 24 - Alameda Point Vintners OPEN HOUSE! 2301 Monarch Street in Alameda. 12-5PM. Buy tickets in advance at Rockwallwines.com $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Live music, delicious food, fantastic wines and a super view!!
May 2 - George Mark House Wine Tasting - 3:00-6:00PM (more details to come)
*For additional information please email info@rbcellars.com or call (510) 749-8477.
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Alameda Point Vintners is right here in Alameda! 2301 Monarch Street (on the old Naval Air Base) OUR TASTING ROOM IS OPEN Wednesday - Sunday, 12pm-6pm Come and enjoy the Urban Wine Country Experience Seven wineries and lots of different wines to taste.
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Free shipping ends March 31th. Place your orders now.
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R&B Cellars In The Media
Southern Beverage Journal's
From the Vineyard reviews R&B
Cellars' bargain wines...
"R&B Cellars has found that
the best blend of a certain
varietal will be better with a
mix of vineyards within a region,
and that blending in a small amount of complementary varietal can add significantly to the complexity of the final wine.
With that in mind, R&B Cellars offers its 2007 Swingsville Zinfandel, North Coast, 2006 Saxy Svrah and 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Serenade in Blanc each priced under $13. The 2007 Swingsville Zinfandel is made of zinfandel and petite sirah both from the LDL Vineyard of 70 year old vines. The Saxy Syrah is a blend of Napa syrah with Sonoma syrah and a touch of Lodi viognier for complex, intense flavors. Although the Sauvignon Blanc Serenade in Blanc is made of 100% sauvignon blanc, to give the wine richness and complexity it is blended with Lake County sauvignon blanc that was fermented in stainless steel with Mendocino sauvignon blanc that was barrel fermented."
Blake Grey, former wine writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, offers his take on R&B from a posting on his blog, The Grey Market Report...
"R&B Cellars makes a very nice $12 Zin from Lodi, the 2007
Swingsville, an old Bargain Wines favorite of mine..."http://wblakegray.blogspot.com/2010/01/wines-to-look-for-at-zap.htmlDave Buchanan of the Grand Junction Sentinel, has this to say about R&B... "...I most enjoyed the Sauvignon Blanc ($13), with hints of grapefruit, melon and enough minerality to sparkle on the tongue."
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Featured Recipe
 Fortissimo Port Sauce
Easter and Passover are here. Use this recipe with roast beef tenderloin, lamb, or pork tenderloin.
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
3 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
1 fresh rosemary sprig
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
1 cup ruby or tawny Port
Simple Homemade Beef Stock
Preparation:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add shallots; saut� until soft, 3 minutes. Add Cognac, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon cracked pepper and cook until liquid evaporates, 1 minute. Add Port; bring to simmer. Add all of beef stock. Boil until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 20 minutes. Strain into medium saucepan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids in strainer. DO AHEAD: Can be made 24 to 36 hours ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and chill.
Winemaker's Comments
This "port" is made from
traditional Portuguese grapes and in the traditional Portuguese manner. The age
of the vineyard shows in the richly developed and flavorful fruit. This wine
shows a lush array of plum, cherry, tobacco, and leather. The richness is mouth
filling and the finish shows hints of hazelnuts and dark chocolate and goes on
forever. To be enjoyed alone, with a fine cigar or for a lighter dessert treat,
drizzle some over a good vanilla ice cream. Ice cream never tasted so good!
Enjoyment:
Crack open a bottle of R&B's Fortissimo Port, pour, and enjoy.
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Tasters Guild Wine Lovers' Consumer Wine Judging
R&B Cellars 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Double Gold Medal
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Awards
| 2010 San Francisco Chronicle
Wine Competition:
2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Double Gold Medal, "Best of Class" "Judges' Choice"
2009 California State
Fair Wine Competition:
2007 Serenade in Blanc Sauvignon
Blanc -
Best of Class of Region North Coast Appellation Gold Medal, 94 Points
One of California's top 11 white wines!
Critics Challenge International Wine Competition:
2007 Zydeco Zinfandel - Gold Medal
2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold Medal
Florida State Fair
International Wine Competition:
2007 Serenade in Blanc Sauvignon Blanc - Double Gold
2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Gold Medal
2006 Saxy Syrah - Gold Medal
Tasters Guild
International Wine Competition:
2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Double Gold
2006 Saxy Syrah - Gold Medal
Dallas Morning News
Wine Competition:
2006 Counterpoint Cabernet Franc - Gold Medal
Lodi International
Wine Awards:
2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - Distinguished Gold
Just Wine Points:
2006 Counterpoint Cabernet Franc - 93 points
2007 Zydeco Zin - 94 points
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R&B Cellars, home of the wine that swings!
Keep on swingin'!
www.rbcellars.com
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