Something to remember, as we enter a new year: Yesterday's history, Tomorrow is a mystery and Today is a gift, that's why it is called "the present". [Via]

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Winemakers pouring into the East Bay (West Oakland)

When Bay Area city dwellers want the quintessential wine-tasting experience, they go north to Napa or Sonoma for good weather and upscale restaurants. Those who want those things and a shorter drive increasingly are heading to Oakland.


Marilee and Steve Shaffer, who had worked in the high-tech and medical research fields, got a five-year lease on a long-empty warehouse in West Oakland and made about 700 cases of reds and whites in 2009.

Brendan Eliason worked at wineries in Healdsburg for several years before opening Periscope Cellars on 62nd Street in Emeryville in what he believes is a former submarine parts and repair facility. He estimates that he sells 70 to 80 percent of his 2,000 cases on-site, which includes a tasting room and event space.

Eliason is working to open a taproom at the home of West Oakland beer company Linden Street Brewery, where both beer and wine would be offered five days a week.

The new locale would put Periscope wine within biking distance from Urban Legend, Urbano and several other wineries near Oakland's Jack London Square.

SF Chronicle complete story found here: URBAN VINTNERS

June 20, 2010 | By Robert Selna, Chronicle Staff Writer

More on wines found here: http://www.sfgate.com/wine/



Oakland wineries and/or tasting rooms

Adams Point, 2413 Fourth St., Oakland

Aubin Cellars, 6050 Colton Blvd., Oakland

Cerruti Cellars, 130 Webster St., Suite 100, Oakland

Dashe Cellars, 55 Fourth St., Oakland*

Irish Monkey, 1017 22nd Ave. No. 300, Oakland*

JC Cellars, 55 Fourth St., Oakland*

Prospect 772 Wine Co., 15 Berneves Court, Oakland*

Stage Left Cellars, 2102 Dennison St., Oakland*

Tayerle, 2311 Magnolia St., Oakland

Urban Legend Cellars, 621 Fourth St., Oakland*

* And tasting room
Source: East Bay Vintners Alliance (eastbayvintners.com)