wine — Provocateur: Media

Rock Wall Wine Company and le truc Team Up!

October 18, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Attention all foodies and wine lovers! Pro Media is proud to announce the collaboration of Rock Wall Wine Company with one of the most popular gourmet food trucks in the Bay Area, le truc. Offering a full menu to guests five days a week, le truc will take over the on-site chef’s kitchen becoming a permanent fixture at the Rock Wall Wine Co. location.

Known for their classic, contemporary American style cuisine, le truc will continue to serve many of their signature dishes, but with a Rock Wall spin – new dishes that le truc serves up will be specifically tailored to pair with Rock Wall‘s award winning wines.

{Taste Bud Teaser: le truc’s Turkey Meatball with hand crafted turkey meatballs, provolone, cabernet marinara, parmesan, basil, and pepperoncini paired with Rock Wall’s 2010 Monte Rosso Zinfandel}

Le truc dishes will range from $4-$15, with Rock Wall wines by the glass ranging from $8-$12. Restaurant hours are Wednesday-Thursday, 12:00pm-5:30pm, Friday from 12:00pm-6:30pm, and Saturday-Sunday from 12:00pm-5:30pm.

Join them in their grand opening on Friday, November 2^nd, 2012 for the ultimate urban food and wine experience. With plenty of wine and delicious food, it is sure to be an event you won’t want to miss.

Eat. Drink. And Be Merry!

Filed Under: events, food, foodies, wine, wine events

Family Winemakers of California 2012 Tasting Event

July 19, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Family Winemakers of California 2012 Tasting Event

We have a fun event coming up this September and if you are a wine lover, you are definitely going to want to listen up! The Family Winemakers of California, a reputable organization that helps get the word out and protect small and family-owned wine makers and wineries, is hosting their 22nd annual tasting event Sunday September 9, 2012 at the Festival Pavilion at the Fort Mason Center. (It is a two-day event actually, but this date is open to the public.) It is really a wine lover’s dream as it ts the most comprehensive tasting of California wines in the world! This year’s event will include over 300 wineries and over 750 different wines. Think not just the typical Pinots and Cabernet Sauvignons, but a plethora of very unique, high-quality wines with varietals literally from A-Z.

At this 2012 tasting, and for the first time ever, this year’s event will also include a special VIP Tasting Lounge, hosted by Celebrity Sommelier Courtney Cochran, and highlighting a selection of these unique wine varietals such as Albarino, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Pinotage, Semillon, Tannat and Vermentino.

Event-goers can also enjoy the “Taste and Take!” program for the second year, allowing you to take home all of the wines you love straight from the event.

Also, as something extra special this year, we will be joined by the delicious Craperie Saint-Germain- providing guests an array of traditional French buckwheat & gluten-free crêpes made with organic ingredients. Yum! Totally looking forward to this here too!

Consumer tickets are now available for this event at http://fwcsf12tasting.eventbrite.com/.

Be sure to check out the Family Winemakers of California website for more information at www.familywinemakers.org

Cheers, and drink on!

Filed Under: client events, events, wine, wine events

Dogpatch WineWorks Opens New Tasting Room

June 27, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Continuing to spread the word of the growth of the Bay Area’s fantastic urban wineries, we at Pro Media are working with Dogpatch WineWorks and announced yesterday the launch their new tasting room {located in the up and coming SF Dogpatch neighborhood.} This is an exciting new offering in San Francisco as now residents will have an even better option for enjoying quality wine closer to home and in a unique environment. Located within the original 15,000 square-foot loft, the new 3,000 square-foot DPWW tasting room officially opens to the public this weekend and will be open every Thursday-Sunday.

(photo courtesy Andrea Rowe Photography)

Wines that will be poured in this new tasting room will include wares from Jazz Cellars, Qualia Wines, OM Winery and Carlotta Cellars to start- with more wines signing on and joining the collective in the coming months. Wine lovers can either choose a featured flight, creating their own flight, or to order wine by the glass from a rotating list.

Some of the varietals featured at the present time include Carignan, Marsanne/Rousanne, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Syrah-Grenache, Zinfandel and Viognier. Wine will be offered in 2 oz. and 5 oz. pours, quartinos and also by the bottle; 5 oz. pours range from $5.00-$12.00 each and retail bottle prices range from $16.00-$48.00 each.

Want to learn more about wine, go out for a tasting with friends in SF, or test your skills and create a wine of your own? Check out Dogpatch WineWorks at 2455 Third Street in San Francisco or check out their website at www.dpwineworks.com.

Filed Under: business, launches, wine Tagged With: Carlotta Cellars, dogpatch neighborhood, dogpatch wineworks, jazz cellars, OM Winery, Qualia Wines, San Francisco, unique wine tasting experiences, urban winery

Stunning Interiors at Ram’s Gate Winery, Sonoma

February 8, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

We had been reading about Ram’s Gate winery in Sonoma when it first opened back in September 2011, and were very excited and curious to see the designs from award-winning architect, Howard Backen. The inspiration for Ram’s Gate was “a modern interpretation of the weathered farmsteads of old Carneros.” And after a lovely trip out to wine country (instead of being glued to the TV for SuperBowl Sunday – we think wine tasting is almost, always better) we saw the final product and it is indeed sensational.

One of the private tasting rooms at Ram’s Gate Winery

After walking around the premise for a bit (and enjoying the unusually warm weather in February!) we treated ourselves to a flight tasting of a few of Ram’s Gate wines. We tried their Pinot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Late Harvest Zinfandel. Tastes from the kitchen included a perfectly crafted carrot cake with baby farm carrots on the side. Not an ideal pairing with wine but we had a craving for something sweet.

Main room, Bar & Kitchen at Ram’s Gate Winery

Every room was beautifully and meticulously designed. Plush, inviting seating at every turn, dark colors with cool fabrics. We envisioned how wonderful this place would be for a number of parties, occasions and celebrations. The location (nestled on 147 acres of land we were told by one employee) is one of the closest winery locations to San Francisco, just 30 minutes North. Perhaps one day we will throw a lavish party here, but until then, we will definitely be coming back to enjoy the scenery at Ram’s Gate Winery.

Filed Under: design, wine Tagged With: Howard Backen, ram's gate winery, sonoma, unique wine tasting experiences, when in wine country

Two Guys, One Obsession; Pinot Noir-Approved

January 19, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

For all you wine enthusiasts especially interested in the new wave of winemakers coming up on the horizon, read up on one of our new clients, Joseph Jewell, the reviews on their 2009 Pinot Noir in PinotFile and also their feature in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

The two self-made wine connoisseurs and their Pinot Noir was recently recognized by the Pinot Prince himself, William Gaffen. However, It was their 2009 Elk Prairie Vineyard Humboldt County Pinot Noir that grabbed his attention and received the PinotGeek grin of approval:

“Mild dusty tannins and well-honed acidity create a beautifully balanced wine that really draws you back to the glass. A perfect marriage of pedigreed vineyard and impeccable winemaking.”

The grin lets everyone know that they’re one to watch not just because they’re “Next-Gen” winemakers, but also because they make Pinot work with what they’ve got. Both Adrian and Micah (32 and 29 years old, respectively) have talent and a whole lot of farmer-meets-chemist knowledge that produces a passion for Pinot that doesn’t go unnoticed! Humboldt County is indeed a very unusual place to source grapes from to make wine, and that is why this particular bottle is so interesting.

Also, acclaimed Wine Editor and Critic, Virginie Boone highlighted their rise to the top in an article she called “Little Wineries On The Rise” in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. A fun photo of the two here in wine tanks below really showcases their personalities.

(photo courtesy Santa Rosa Press Democrat and Beth Schlanker)

We at Pro Media love representing the bold and passionate trendsetters as they are prime examples of this in the wine industry. Rather than owning and producing in a full-scale winery, they source from vineyards all over Northern California and crush at state-of-the-art Peay Vineyards. Pinot is definitely their passion and it is evident in Gaffen’s reviews and the Press Democrat’s interest. We look forward to helping them share their passion and hope you will share in it as well!

Filed Under: Uncategorized, wine Tagged With: humboldt county wine, joseph jewell, pinot noir, pinotfile, prince of pinot, santa rosa press democrat, virginie boone, winemakers to watch

Rock Wall as one of Food & Wine’s “Next-Gen” Winemakers

November 9, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Editors and enthusiasts alike are always on the look-out to find the newest trends these days, especially when it comes down to the coolest eateries or the best drinks. Food & Wine Magazine helped with the trend search in this month’s November issue and recently featured our very own client, Shauna Rosenblum of Rock Wall Wines, as one of the next wine-trendsetting kids in California.

She, along with the other children of amazing California winemakers (i.e. Bob Lindquist of Ethan Grenache, Mike Beziger of Evolve, and Josh Phelps & Carlo Trinchero of Taken), are leading the pack of new generation wine producers. With all their innovative energies guiding them and their family heritages supporting them, there is full faith that these kids will leave a new legacy behind.

Congrats to all of the “next-gen” Bay Area winemakers mentioned!

Filed Under: wine Tagged With: food & wine magazine, next-gen winemakers, Provocateur Media, unique wine tasting experiences, wine

Fantabulous Wine Tasting Experience at JAQK Cellars!

September 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Because we are so fond of the urban winemaking scene, (and we love our wine!!) we were shocked to learn that we at Pro Media had not yet been to San Francisco’s own urban winery, JAQK Cellars, located in the trendy and historic Jackson Square district. One of our faves!

Beautiful tasting room! (photo courtesy JAQK Cellars)

As a wine label with incredibly eye-catching design and packaging, all “card-themed,” we were curious to learn if the wines actually stood the test of taste. Verdict: JAQK wines are well-balanced, flavorful and indeed worth a try! JAQK (which stands for Jack, Ace, Queen, King) also shares a beautiful 3-story building with a local ad agency. Exposed brick, honey-colored wood and soft blue curtains create an inviting atmosphere (on the 2nd level) for private tastings. Anyone can sign up, and tastings cost around $35 but also come with a delectable array of tasty bites! Cured meats, chocolate, nuts, cheese, berries were all so delish!! Fantastic and helpful, Marketing Manager Kelsey Morrison was more than an informative spokesperson, but also a great party host.

Delicious bites that paired exceptionally well with our “Her Majesty” 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay. Light, crisp, and perfect for a San Francisco Indian summer.

As we moved onto the reds, we found the “Bonedance” 2007 Merlot was actually one of our favorites, although we do not typically purchase Merlot, this one was blended with just the right amount of Syrah, making for spicy undertones and also perfect to pair with our dark chocolate bites.

At the end of the tasting, our group of 6 ladies were all invited to experience the view and lovely space up on the JAQK rooftop deck. A great way to spend a Monday night indeed!

Filed Under: wine Tagged With: JAQK Cellars, Provocateur Media, unique wine tasting experiences, wine

EBVA’s 6th Annual “Urban Wine Experience”

August 22, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

On August 6^th the East Bay Vintner’s Alliance (EBVA) hosted its 6^th annual “Urban Wine Xperience,” a celebration of the urban wine scene in the East Bay. Over 20 urban wineries from the EBVA poured a phenomenal array of white, roses, reds and dessert wines for the public at the Jack London Pavilion in Oakland, CA. Local eateries and food purveyors teamed up with each winery and created delicious bites that paired beautifully with the EBVA’s wine portfolio. Guests enjoyed the sunshine and danced to live music on the sun-drenched deck as they celebrated the urban wine scene and all things local!

The participating EBVA wineries included: Adams Point WInery, Andrew Lane Wines, Aubin Cellars, Blacksmith Cellars, Carica Wines, Cerruti Cellars, Dashe Cellars, Ehrenberg Cellars, Eno Wines, Irish Monkey Cellars, JC Cellars, JRE Wines, Periscope Cellars, Prospect 722, R&B Cellars, Rock Wall Wine Company, Rosenblum Cellars, Stomping Girl Wines, Tayerle Wines, Urban Legend Cellars and Urbano Cellars.

The scrumptious bites we enjoyed included some of the following local food purveyors and eateries: Angela’s Bistro, Bacanova, Bellanico, Brown Sugar Kitchen, Chop Bar, Fra’ Mani, Kincaids, La Farine, Miss Pearl’s Jam House, North Main BBQ, Otaez, Pappo, Paradiso, Pican, Wood Tavern, Zut, and many more!

Filed Under: events, wine Tagged With: EBVA, events, food, Provocateur Media, wine

Rock Wall Wine Company Rocks Summer… One Sip at a Time!

August 1, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Our beloved Rock Wall Wine Company will host “Summer Rocks” open house from 1-5pm on August 20^th. As much as we loved summer before this fabulous event, it’s definitely getting an added boost! Summer Rocks will feature all-new releases of handcrafted wine, delicious summer eats, live music and a rockin’ fun time, all at the Alameda location of Rock Wall Wine Company! The entire Rock Wall portfolio will be poured with new releases including Rock Wall’s 2010 Muscat Canelli, 2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, 2010 “Kristen’s Cuvee” Viognier, 2010 Super Alamedan, 2010 Montepulciano, 2009 Rockpile Zinfandel, and 2009 St. Peter’s Church Zinfandel.

The Alameda Point Vintners group, a collective of eight additional boutique urban wineries housed within the Rock Wall Wine Company facility, will also showcase over 50 wines for guests to sample. The Alameda Point Vintners Group include Blacksmith Cellars, Carica Wines, Ehrenberg Cellars, Eno, Joseph Garry Cellars, John Robert Eppler Wines, Mercy Vineyards and R&B Cellars.

Enjoy a scrumptious selection of bites from Freshta Inc Catering and learn more about the wine-making process with private winery tours. To add to the summertime fun, there will be a photo booth on site and air-brush tattoos available. Guests can also take advantage of special wine pricing on this day only. Now you’re wondering how to have access to this marvelous summer occasion? Get tickets here. This is a summer event you won’t want to miss!

Filed Under: events, wine Tagged With: events, food, Provocateur Media, wine

Rock Wall Wine Company- Heating Up the Wine Scene in the Bay!

June 12, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Now this is where the art of public relations gets really exciting, having a client you love in great print publications AND on live TV! Our beloved Rock Wall Wine Company, a fabulous urban winery in Alameda, was recently featured in three publications this month, San Francisco magazine’s June “Wine & Spirits” issue for “Six Tasting Rooms Where You Really Can Get Into the Spirits,” on the NBC Today Show with Bob Redell, and also in today’s San Francisco Chronicle for the “Chronicle Recommends” wine section for their 08 Napa Cabernet. See all of the nitty gritty below, complete with links and video!

San Francisco magazine’s June “Wine & Spirits” issue — “Taste the Scene” article featuring Rock Wall Wine Company. Photograph by James Carrière.