Hello from the WinemakerHola mi amigos! It’s harvest, and we’ve got grapes, many, many grapes! This harvest started early, and I’ve heard from some of my growers that this is the earliest harvest on record since 2004. By the 15th of September (also Kathy Rosenblum’s birthday—the most important day of the year) all of our tanks were full of fermenting grapes which is crazy town! Normally, we’d just be getting fruit rolling in by mid-September. We have so many amazing growers who are just as passionate about grape growing as we are about wine making. As always... I love free victims...I mean volunteers to come and help with some manual harvest labor. If that sounds like something you might be into, please give us a holler and we’ll put you to work.

ROCKPILE! The mountainous terrain of Rockpile is what makes the area so special and unique. Situated right above Lake Sonoma, the vines have a beautiful view. This is why they are always in a good mood and they seek to put you in a good mood too when you enjoy a glass of Rockpile Zin. This distinctive mountain fruit boasts aromas of rich maple syrup, sage, roasted beet and cherry blossom, followed by juicy flavors of blackberry, black cherry, caramel, blueberry, chocolate and Rockpile minerality. Yum.

Obsideana is the wine formerly known as Obsidian. We had to change the name, so we went with the Spanish translation of Obsidian. This wine was originally named for the immense amount of Obsidian stones that are present in Nils Venge’s Black Rock Ranch Vineyard in Lake County (where the grapes are grown). There’s so much of this stone it a actually glows under the moonlight; the name. This wine smells like s’mores, Coca-Cola, agave nectar and blueberry muffins! (That deserved a proper exclamation point!) That’s a pretty hard act to follow, but those delicious aromas are followed by delightful flavors of black cherry, sarsaparilla, strawberry, white pepper and a lengthy French vanilla finish.

The Santa Lucia Highlands has to be one of my favorite places that Chardonnay grows in California. We get this fruit from Vigna Monte Nero in Soledad. The grapes are grown so high up on the mountain that this fruit is routinely the very last lot we harvest. (Usually November). The chilly fog keeps the grapes nice and safe, so they have time to mature in their own time

Tasting Room Rundown Hooray, harvest is here! We love settling into fall...watching grapes roll in, walking through the cellar to see what’s crushing and sipping on a glass of our favorite Zin.

Come visit! Remember, each Tasting Room visit entitles you (and up to 2 guests) to a complimentary flight or glass of wine. We have a members-only bar (on weekends) in the tasting room for easy, quick shipment pick-up and where you can grab your favorite glass of wine.

If you are interested in reserving a group tasting (6+ people) please contact the Tasting Room manager by email at jessalyn@rockwallwines.com. (If your party is 5 guests or less, you are not required to make a reservation, but are welcome to do so to ensure a spot at the bar.)

Upcoming Fun Stuff...Fun Fact Friday! Each Friday (through October) during harvest we will explore all things cellar—stop by and see what’s in store! Test your wine trivia knowledge, sample grapes about to be crushed, explore the nuances of oak barrels... each Friday will be something different!

From October 16–31 we will have complimentary daily candy pairings—who says wine can’t go with your favorite Halloween treat?! Visit in costume ON Halloween (Thursday 10/31) for a complimentary flight, and enjoy our “Monster Mash-up” blending bar.

As the holidays approach, be sure to check our online calendar for holiday hours. We will be open limited hours on Wednesday 11/27, and will be closed for

Event Rentals & Large Groups Rock Wall Wine Co. has four different areas to rent out for events! As Club Viva Members you receive discounnts on venue rentals! From birthday parties & corporate events, to weddings and large tastings, the event team at Rock Wall can handle all of your needs. For more information on hosting an event at Rock Wall, please contact Nikki King (for Dome & Tasting Room rentals) at nikki@rockwallwines.com, Jason Landis (for Hangar & Cellar rental) at jason@rockwallwines.com and Elana Mingo (for Large Group Tastings of 12 or more) at elana@rockwallwines.com.

Scolari’s At the Point is Coming Soon! Since 2010, Scolari’s has been offering a wide selection of “Good Eats” using foods and ingredients sourced both locally and globally. Scolari’s focus on the tasty rather than the territory and the delectable over the dramatic, enables their kitchen to bring a diverse array of cuisines to your tables without the extended pinky finger. Rock Wall is so exicited to be joining forces with Scolari’s to offer a fantastic wine & food experience! Scolari’s Good Eats at the Point will be open for service Saturday. October 5th! Yummy!

Rock Wall Wine Company • 2301 Monarch Street, Suite 300, Building 24 • Alameda, California 94501(510) 522.5700 • WineClub@RockWallWines.com • Facebook.com/RockWallWines

Rock Wall Grand Tasting: Blends with Kent and Shauna RosenblumWednesday October 23, 2013 • 7–9pm

Learn all about the art of blending from award winning winemakers Kent and Shauna Rosenblum! Guests will start the evening with a glass of sparkling in the tasting room before enjoying a tour of the cellar and a barrel sample. The event will take place in the dome where guests will enjoy a guided tasting of 6 premium Rock Wall blends paired with tasty bites from Scolari’s. The night will conclude with a question and answer portion and a dessert pairing. Discuss the aroma and flavor profiles of each wine and learn about winemaking techniques, vineyard histories and blending practices.....all while taking in amazing views of the San Francisco skyline!Wine Club $40, General $50. Be on the look out for an e-mail invite!

and develop beautiful flavors and balanced acidity. The finished wine smells like Fuji apple, vanilla and cinnamon, followed by satisfying flavors of Bartlett pear, apple pie and a subtle splash of dulce de leche in the finish.

Much love guys! See you on the other side of harvest.

Cheers & Love,Shauna Rosenblum Winemaker, Rock Wall Wine Co.

AT THE POINT

Coming

in Octob

er

2nd Locat

ion!

WWW.ROCKWALLWINES.COM WWW.SCOLARISGOODEATS.COM

GREAT WINE • GREAT FOOD • GREAT VIEW2301 Monarch Street, Suite 300, Alameda

are excited to announce

Scolari’sGood Eats&

Rock Wall’s 2013 Harvest Crew left to right:Nic, JD, Shauna, Patrick, EJ & Luis

Save the Date...

Rock Wall Halloween Costume Party Friday, November 1, 2013 • 7–10pm

Friends and Family Kick Off Party Friday, November 15, 2013 • 6–9pm

Wine Wonderland Open House Saturday, December 7, 2013 • 12–4pm

Email invites will be sent out soon!

Special offer for Club Viva members!Reorder any of your current Club Viva wine selections on-line and receive 10% off in addition to your 20% Club Viva Member discount. Simply log into your account at rockwallwines.com and enter the promotional code CV102013* *Offer is valid at www.rockwallwines.com for Club Viva members only. Offer includes 20% member discount.

This promotion cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.

2012 Obsideana Red Hills Lake County New Release

alc. 15.1% • 2070 cases produced $25 retail, $20 Club Viva

Rich with flavors of sarsaparilla, red licorice, graphite minerality, dark chocolate, cherry vanilla with aromas of hickory smoke, cola and a soft, velvety blueberry finish.

2012 Viognier Kristen’s Cuvee, California New Release alc. 14% • 950 cases produced $20 retail, $16 Club Viva

Dry but juicy with pineapple, guava and mango flavors and hints of honeysuckle and cherry blossom on the back palate. Yum.

2010 Teroldago Heringer Vineyard Yolo County

alc. 13.8% • 210 cases produced $25 retail, $25 Club Viva

Fragrant with pine, fresh mint and raw wood, with flavors blackberry, lavender and cherry.

2009 Petite Sirah Carver Sutro Napa Valley

alc. 14.7% • 265 cases produced $40 retail, $32 Club Viva

Intense aromas of dulce de leche, rich creamy blackberry, ripe currants, black pepper and menthol fill the glass and translate perfectly to the palate.

2012 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands New Release alc. 13.6% • 920 cases produced $25 retail, $20 Club Viva

Beautifully golden in color, this wine continues to impress me year after year. This vintage the aromatics include caramel, vanilla and Fuji apple, followed by flavors of Asian pear, honey, butterscotch and a citrus-orange blossom finish.

2011 Zinfandel Rockpile Road, Sonoma New Release alc. 14.8% • 530 cases produced $45 retail, $36 Club Viva

Aromas of boysenberry, maple, sage and Rockpile minerality, followed by delicious flavors of blackberry, blueberry, spiced tea, dried tobacco leaves and a sexy chocolate and white pepper finish.