San Francisco wineries lead way in ‘urban environment movement’
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
January 7, 2009
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John Tarabini (Courtesy photo)
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John Tarabini, the president of the new San Francisco Wine Association is promoting the consortium of 16 boutique wineries that produce high-end wines in San Francisco by crushing, bottling, blending and barreling in the SoMa area.
Are San Francisco wineries a growing trend? San Francisco is finally leading the way in this urban-winery movement. Until now, honestly these small, boutique, independent wineries have largely gone unnoticed. But they are making outstanding wines, using some of the finest grapes and some of the best winemakers in the industry.
What is a boutique wine producer? They are small, independent, typically family-owned boutique winemakers that are making wines in small productions, between 50 and 500 cases. They are different from the more well-know wineries that may have large estates or big chateaus. These small boutique wineries that comprise the San Francisco Wine Association invest in the best grapes, the best winemakers, the best cutting-edge equipment and they make it in The City, South of Market. There is a crush facility on Third Street. There are a number of wineries making their wares there. There are 16 members of the association. The idea was to get visibility to the wineries that are producing these fantastic wines in The City.
Where does someone buy the wine produced in San Francisco? Online. Right now, we don’t have a storefront presence. We are starting to pour at all sorts of events here and the Bay Area.
