Rock Wall urban winery has it all

Rock Wall urban winery at Alameda Point

The only things missing at Rock Wall Winery in Alameda are vineyards. Rock Wall is one of many urban wineries in the East Bay that make wine and have tasting rooms in an urban setting. The grapes are sourced from a variety of California vineyards and at harvest time trucked to these urban cellars. We recently visited the Rock Wall winery on a beautiful Spring day. The things we liked best about Rock Wall will satisfy just about any wine country lover – the wine, the food and the setting. The Rock Wall tasting room has a great staff, creating a friendly atmosphere.

The Wines

The tasting fee is $15 to taste five wines on the wine menu. The wines change daily on the tasting list. There were 13 choices the day we visited. There were another 16 wines not on the tasting menu but available for purchase. Most of the wines are made in small amounts, total case production at Rock Wall is 20,000 a year. The wines that are available on the tasting list for the day are also available by the glass. We recommend the Sauvignon Blanc, the Rock Hound Red and the Stagecoach Zinfandel. These were all on our tasting list the day we visited. Two others wines not on the tasting menu that day look very inviting: The Zinfandel from Monte Rosso Vineyards and the Zinfandel from the Rockpile’s Westphal Vineyards. Monte Rosso and Rockpile are two of the elite names on the California winemaking scene. Shauna Rosenblum is the winemaker.  She’s the daughter of Kent Rosenblum, who made the Rosenblum label world famous.  Kent sold the Rosenblum Winery years ago and is now the CEO of Rock Wall Wine Company. The two make a fantastic pair in making delicious wines at Rock Wall.

The Food

On the Rock Wall property is a great little food joint,  Scolari’s at the Point.  Scolari’s offers tasty dishes to go with Rock Wall wine. On the menu are scrumptious sandwiches, salads and pizzas. Check our slideshow below to see two of the sandwiches we selected for lunch. Scolari’s at the Point is open 11:30 am to 8:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday.

The Setting

Rock Wall is located in Alameda on the old Alameda Naval Air Station in the area designated as Alameda Point. The air base was closed during the Clinton administration. The Naval base today is owned by the city of Alameda and has developments that include housing, recreation and businesses.  On the deck of Rock Wall there are pretty views of the San Francisco Skyline and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The deck at Rock Wall is the place to be on a beautiful day. Order from Scolari’s, then purchase a glass of your favorite Rock Wall wine and sit and enjoy. Life can’t get much better than this.

A great travel day to Rock Wall includes catching the Ferry at San Francisco’s Ferry Building. One can shop the artisan shops at the Ferry Plaza or the Farmers Market before or after. As you leave on the Ferry, the views of San Francisco are breathtaking. We have done this several times; one of our sons lives in Alameda. It is a great experience. The Rock Wall Wine Company is about a three-quarter-mile walk from the Ferry Terminal. Check the Ferry schedule for departure and arrival times from the San Francisco Ferry Building.

The Rock Wall tasting room is open seven days a week. Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm. Rock Wall has a cool Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm!. Check the Rock Wall Website for complete visiting information.

Spirits Alley

The area on Alameda Point where Rock Wall is located has been dubbed Spirits Alley. In addition to Rock Wall, you can walk to St. George Spirits, Brix Beverage, Building 43 Winery, Faction Brewing Company and Hangar 1 Vodka.  A year from now, there is sure to be more tasting rooms, brew pubs, and distillers.

Rock Wall Winery Slide Show