B.R. Cohn Winery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| B.R. Cohn Winery | |
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| Location | Glen Ellen, California |
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| Appellation | Sonoma Valley |
| Formerly | Olive Hill Estate Vineyards |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Key people | Bruce Cohn, proprietor Tom Montgomery, winemaker |
| Cases/yr | 29,000 |
| Known for | Olive Hill Cabernet |
| Varietals | cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, pinot noir, zinfandel, petite sirah, syrah, cabernet franc, petit verdot, malbec |
| Other products | olive oil, vinegar, rosé, port |
| Website | http://www.brcohn.com |
| Distribution | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Tasting | open to public |
B.R. Cohn Winery is a midsized boutique family winery in Sonoma Valley, California.
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[edit] History
Bruce Cohn, manager of the California rock band, The Doobie Brothers since they formed in 1969, purchased the original acreage in 1974. He named the property the Olive Hill Estate Vineyards after the grove of 130-year-old olive trees, from which a sister operation continues to make ultrapremium olive oil.
After selling grapes to other wineries for several years, Cohn founded his own winery, B.R. Cohn, in 1984. His first winemaker was the now-famous Helen Turley[1].
The winery has hosted a popular yearly charity music concert and golf event since 1987. Like other wineries in the area it maintains a wine club and public tasting room, and hosts weddings and other events.
[edit] Wines
The vineyards surrounding the winery are planted mostly in cabernet sauvignon grapes, with some pinot noir, zinfandel, petite sirah, cabernet franc, petit verdot, and malbec. Syrah (sold only from the tasting room) and Chardonnay is grown in the carneros region.
The winery's flagship 1985 and 1986 Olive Hill Cabernets were ranked among the top ten in America and top 50 in the World by Wine Spectator, which gave each a rating of 94 out of 100. The 2003 vintage was rated 93. The North Cost Petit Syrah was one of two red "sweepstakes winners" at the prestigious 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition[2]. The winery also produces merlot, rosé, and port.
[edit] Oil and vinegar
Starting in the 1990s, B.R. Cohn was among the first companies involved in the re-emergence of artisan olive oil production in California. Today it produces several flavored and unflavored oils, including an organic variety.
The company also vinegar on-site from cabernet, chardonnay, and sparkling wine (including pear chardonnay and a raspberry champagne flavors), using the French "Orleans" method whereby batches of vinegar are produced by adding a "mother" dose of old vinegar to fresh wine, then aging 18-22 months in oak barrels. It also bottles a 15-year-old balsamic vinegar imported from Modena, Italy.
Cohn's oil and vinegar is widely available in premium grocery stores in California, although some limited-production varieties are sold only directly.
[edit] Trivia
Bruce Cohn continues to live on the estate, from where he manages both the Doobie Brothers band and the wine and oil operations.
[edit] References
- ^ Walker, Larry. "The storied wines of B.R. Cohn", Wines and Vines Magazine, March, 2004. Retrieved on January 27, 2007.
- ^ Chronicle Staff. Best of Class. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved on January 27, 2007.
[edit] External links
brcohn.com (official winery website)
brcohnoliveoil.com (official olive oil website)
