JC Cellars News

The warehouse-y back streets of Oakland and the East Bay have become havens for urban wine warriors who’ve realized they would rather make wine (and live) close to the crowds than pour every cent they have into a rolling piece of land.

1. Dashe and JC Cellars

• Why we love them: Some of the East Bay’s best winemaking happens in this shared barrel room—JC for a splurge, Dashe a little more moderate.
• The backstory: Jeff Cohn, former winemaker for Rosenblum Cellars, and Michael and Anne Dashe (who rented space from Rosenblum) man two ends of one tasting counter.
• Take it home: Dashe’s spicy 2008 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel ($24; its Riesling rocks too—see “Wine in the West,” page 116) and a half-gallon jug of JC’s “Daily Ration” red blend ($25). Noon–6 Thu–Sun; tasting $5; 55 Fourth St., Oakland; 510/452-1800; or jccellars.com; 510/465-5900.

Read More

BY RAY ISLE

Off-dry white wines—with a small amount of natural grape sugar—tend to survive better than other wines when open, as do young, powerfully tannic reds.

Young, Robust Reds

 2007 JC Cellars Smoke & Mirrors ($25)

 A dash each of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel gives some additional potency to the blackberry and black pepper flavors of this powerful California Syrah blend.

Read More...

The Daily Ration, available for purchase EVERYDAY in the tasting room. Half Gallon of Goodness to set the weekend off right!

Some of you have expressed reservations about opening our wines for some of your friends who may have questionable palates. So we thought we would provide an option that everyone can sit around and enjoy no matter what day it is or how many other bottles have been opened.

Available for tasting on Thursdays & Fridays in the tasting room.

$25 Jug $20 Refills (Bring Your Jug Back and Save)