Terrific East Bay Winery

Not many people know that one of the great Northern California wineries is located just across the bay from San Francisco on the island of Alameda. Rosenblum Cellars is most noted for its 30 plus varieties of Zinfandel. I recently took a Zinfandel seminar at Rosenblum's winery and tasted four recent releases. My favorite was the 2004 Richard Sauret Vineyard, but my friend most enjoyed the 2004 Monte Rosso Vineyard. Rosenblum Zins consistently receive scores of over 90 points from "Wine Spectator" magazine.

The winery and tasting room are located at 2900 Main Street in Alameda. The tasting room is open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Rosenblum also has a tasting room, just off the plaza in Healdsburg, at 250 Center Street. This facility is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Join me on a Hidden Vineyards tour and you can visit Rosenblum's tasting room in Healdsburg. To book a tour, call me at (866) 326-4237 or e-mail me by clicking here.

Winetasting in San Francisco

Yesterday, I joined some friends at Cav Wine Bar. This is a great after work spot. Cav has an interesting wine list as well as tasty small plates to accompany your wine.

I enjoyed a 10 year old Riesling from Germany, a full-bodied Oregon Pinot Noir, and a varietal from Australia that I had never heard of until yesterday. Wines are available by the glass and bottle. In addition, a special wine flight is offered each week. If you go with a friend who prefers fermented grain, beers are also offered.

To accompany your wine, Cav offers both small and large plates. We sampled an array of small plates and enjoyed each of them. We particularly enjoyed dipping bread, walnuts, and apricots into the Gratinee Fondue for two.

Cav is located at 1666 Market Street and opens at 5:30. The kitchen is open until 11:00 pm Monday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Year of the Dog

January 29 was Chinese New Year. We are now in the Year of the Dog. New Year is traditionally a time for Chinese families to get together and pay homage to their ancestors. Kitchens are cleaned. Temples are visited.

Now there is a much more public celebration of Chinese New Year with the big parade on February 11. The Chinese New Year Parade starts at 5:30 pm and is scheduled to end at about 8:00 pm. The route starts at Market and 2nd Streets and finishes at Kearny and Jackson Streets. Get there early for a good view.

That same weekend, on February 11 and 12, there will be a Chinese Street Fair on Grant Avenue from California Street to Broadway. The Chinese Cultural Center will be hosting a Spring Festival in their 3rd floor gallery in the new Hilton Hotel at 750 Kearny Street.

Our San Francisco Highlights Tour usually includes a quick drive through Chinatown. The Perfect Day Tour can be customized to include a walk through Chinatown that will feature stops at a temple, herb shop, and market. To arrange a private, custom tour, please call me at (866) 326-4237 or e-mail me by clicking here.