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R&B Cellars Summary

1835 San Jose Ave.
Alameda ,CA 94501
United States
rbcellars.com


R&B Cellars Description

R&B Cellars is a charming and distinctive winery located in the heart of California's wine country. Known for their innovative winemaking techniques and exceptional quality wines, R&B Cellars has become a favorite destination for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

One of the standout features of R&B Cellars is their commitment to blending traditional winemaking methods with modern technology. By leveraging both old-world techniques and cutting-edge advancements, the winery is able to craft wines that are unique and memorable. Their talented team of winemakers meticulously selects the finest grapes from carefully chosen vineyards, ensuring that only the highest quality fruit makes its way into their wines.

R&B Cellars takes great pride in their diverse portfolio of wines, which includes both classic varietals and bold, experimental blends. From silky smooth Chardonnays and robust Cabernet Sauvignons to mouthwatering Zinfandels and crisp Sauvignon Blancs, there is a wine for every palate at R&B Cellars. Each bottle is a reflection of the winery's commitment to excellence and their passion for winemaking.

But R&B Cellars is not just about the wines. The winery offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, where visitors can relax and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding vineyards. With a knowledgeable and friendly staff, R&B Cellars provides an immersive wine experience, offering tastings, tours, and even the opportunity to meet the winemakers themselves.

Whether you're a wine aficionado or simply looking to discover some new and exciting wines, a visit to R&B Cellars is a must. With their dedication to crafting exceptional wines and their commitment to providing a memorable experience, R&B Cellars is a standout among California wineries.

What Makes R&B Cellars Different From Other Nearby Wineries?

R&B Cellars stands out among its counterparts in the California winery scene due to its unique approach to winemaking and commitment to producing exceptional wines while maintaining an inviting and energetic atmosphere for visitors. Established in 1997, this family-owned winery, located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, has garnered a strong reputation for its innovative winemaking techniques and dedication to crafting wines that are full of character and distinct flavors.

One of the key aspects that sets R&B Cellars apart is their focus on blending varietals from different grape-growing regions. Their winemakers skillfully combine grapes sourced from top vineyards across California, resulting in wines that possess complexity, depth, and a harmonious balance of flavors. This blending technique allows R&B Cellars to create unique and memorable wine styles that transcend the boundaries of individual wine regions, offering a truly distinctive sensory experience.

Furthermore, R&B Cellars is renowned for its dedication to experimentation and pushing the boundaries of traditional winemaking. They embrace lesser-known grape varietals, allowing their winemakers to showcase the diversity of California's winegrowing regions. By embracing traditional winemaking methods alongside modern innovations, R&B Cellars produces wines that are both classic and contemporary, capturing the essence of California winemaking while also appealing to the evolving tastes of wine enthusiasts.

Not only is R&B Cellars committed to producing exceptional wines, but they also prioritize creating an inviting and vibrant atmosphere for visitors. Their tasting room offers a warm and relaxed setting, where guests can indulge in their award-winning wines while enjoying live music performances by local artists. This makes for a unique and memorable experience, as visitors can immerse themselves in the local arts and culture scene while savoring R&B Cellars' exquisite wines.

Moreover, R&B Cellars actively engages with the community through various events and philanthropic initiatives. They host wine education classes, blending workshops, and vineyard tours, aiming to educate and inspire wine enthusiasts of all levels. Additionally, they participate in charitable events and donate wines to support local organizations and causes, further exemplifying their commitment to giving back.

In summary, R&B Cellars stands apart from other wineries in the region through its innovative approach to winemaking, dedication to blending varietals to create unique wines, and commitment to fostering a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for visitors. By embracing experimentation and constantly pushing boundaries, R&B Cellars continues to solidify its reputation as a must-visit destination for wine lovers seeking exceptional and memorable experiences.

What Some Possible Concerns About R&B Cellars ?

1) Limited wine selection: Some visitors to R&B Cellars have mentioned that they were disappointed by the limited variety of wines available at the winery. They felt that the winery lacked a diverse selection of reds, whites, and other wine styles.

2) Ambiance and atmosphere: A few customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with the ambiance and atmosphere at R&B Cellars. They felt that the tasting room lacked charm and sophistication, and some mentioned that it didn't provide the cozy and inviting vibe commonly associated with wineries.

3) Inattentive service: Several reviewers have mentioned experiencing less than satisfactory service at R&B Cellars. Some felt that the staff members were inattentive and didn't provide enough information or personalized attention during the tasting experience.

4) Pricing: Some visitors have expressed concerns about the pricing at R&B Cellars. They felt that the wines were slightly overpriced compared to the quality and overall experience provided.

5) Limited amenities: A few individuals have noted the lack of amenities or additional activities at R&B Cellars. Some visitors were hoping for experiences such as vineyard tours, food pairings, or educational sessions about winemaking, which they felt were lacking at this particular winery.

It's important to note that these criticisms might not be representative of everyone's experience at R&B Cellars, as each person's preferences and expectations can vary.

R&B Cellars History

R&B Cellars, also known as Rock Wall Wine Company, is a renowned winery based in Alameda, California. Founded by experienced winemakers and wine enthusiasts, Kent Rosenblum and Rodney Strong, R&B Cellars has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the early 1980s.

The story begins with Rodney Strong, a legendary figure in the California wine industry. Strong established his own winery, Rodney Strong Vineyards, in Sonoma County in 1959. He quickly gained recognition for his high-quality wines and innovative winemaking techniques, becoming one of the pioneers of the modern California wine industry.

Around the same time, Kent Rosenblum, a close friend of Strong, began his journey in winemaking. Rosenblum, a talented veterinarian by profession, caught the winemaking bug after assisting a friend in making homemade wine. Intrigued by the process, he started experimenting with winemaking himself.

In the early 1980s, Rosenblum founded his eponymous winery, Rosenblum Cellars, in the heart of Alameda. The winery gained a loyal following for its rich, flavorful, and expressive Zinfandel wines. Rosenblum quickly became renowned as the "King of Zin."

In 1996, Rosenblum Cellars gained national and international attention when it received accolades and high scores from influential wine critics. The winery's success continued to grow, allowing Rosenblum to establish a strong reputation for crafting exceptional wines.

Fast forward to 2008 when the legendary winemakers, Kent Rosenblum and Rodney Strong, joined forces to create R&B Cellars. The name "R&B" refers to the combination of Rosenblum and Strong, signifying the collaboration between these two iconic figures.

With their extensive knowledge and expertise in winemaking, Rosenblum and Strong aimed to produce a diverse range of wines that showcased the best of California's wine regions. They sourced grapes from vineyards throughout the state, including those in Sonoma County, Carneros, Lodi, and Paso Robles, to create a broad portfolio of varietals.

However, tragedy struck in 2008 when Rodney Strong passed away, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and a void in the wine industry. Despite this loss, R&B Cellars continued to thrive under the leadership of Kent Rosenblum and his team.

In 2010, R&B Cellars rebranded as Rock Wall Wine Company, paying homage to the winery's location in a converted aircraft hangar on the former Alameda Naval Air Station. The winery takes its name from the 40-foot-tall rock wall that surrounds the property, which was constructed by hand by Kent Rosenblum himself.

Rock Wall Wine Company has become a beloved destination for wine enthusiasts, offering a unique and inviting tasting room experience. The winery is known for its diverse selection of wines, ranging from rich and robust reds to crisp and refreshing whites. In addition to their signature Zinfandels, they produce varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and more.

Today, Rock Wall Wine Company continues to honor the legacy of Rodney Strong and Kent Rosenblum by producing exceptional wines that showcase the best of California's diverse terroirs. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and community has solidified their place among California's most respected wineries.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!

I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....

After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.

Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.

Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.

As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.

Cheers! - Franklin Laurel