Don's Gillette's Weekly Wine Blog
Weekly musings from our store's resident wine guru
Don has over thirty years experience in the wine industry. For the last eighteen years his attention has been focused on the growing local industry. Don has a large following of customers who search out his opinions (never in short supply!) on new releases and on what's currently most distinctive on our shelves. Others seek his insights on wineries and trends that are still under the radar. Check back here each week for Don's latest thoughts on various wine-related topics. Read Don's full bio...
Email Don directly with your wine-related questions.
Goin' Up the Country . . . where the water tastes like wine... By Denise Johnson
During the first week of October each year, my husband is the official photographer for the B. R. Cohn Annual Music Festival and Celebrity Golf tournament. I was particularly keen on going this year to see two bands that took me far, far back in time Canned Heat and Taj Majal. (There were other bands, but I really went to see these two!) My husband's participation with this event entitles me to VIP Hospitality and Backstage passes, and I always have fun hobnobbing with people I know, both in the wine and music business.
This annual event is held on the winery property, literally between Bruce Cohn's residence and winery and the vineyard. About 2500 people sit on a small slope in front of the stage and drink great wine and listen to great music from noon until 6 pm, all within this idyllic vineyard setting. I had dinner and talked backstage through Los Lobos, and was not able to stay for Three Dog Night, but the drive to Sonoma was worth it, just to see Canned Heat perform their entire set - in particular their two biggest hits, Goin' Up the Country and On the Road Again. Canned Heat was just great in their 60's sort of way and the "50 something crowd" hazily danced the afternoon away.
Also great? The wine in my glass! I bought a bottle of the 2004 B. R. Cohn Olive Hill Cabernet Sauvignon to share with my son Casey and it was sooooo great and smooth, sitting out there in the sunshine, humming along... The excellent 2004 B. R.Cohn Olive Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is part of our Half Bottle Half Price Shipping sale which runs all through October. You gotta try it!