Our Sponsors: Rodney Strong Vineyards Celebrates Silver Anniversary

Klein Family Continues to Invest in Winery and Belief
in Sonoma County

As Rodney Strong Vineyards marks the occasion of 25 years of Klein family ownership, they’ve made it clear they’re pushing onward with Sonoma County and the pursuit top-notch quality for another 25. One look at the winery founded by Rod Strong in 1959 and it’s easy to see the Klein’s, who purchased Rodney Strong in 1989, are dedicated to quality at every turn. The tasting room’s entrance, for example, is completely remodeled. Their new entry has an enclosed patio with a water fountain, new seating, a bar built from repurposed wood from the winery, privacy walls, a pizza oven and a new prep kitchen located in the north wing of the winery Rod had built in the early 1970s.

A second project is a gutted a warehouse that’s been completely retro-fitted for another state-of-the-art cellar. The numerous square stainless steel tanks, due to their unique functionality, have captured the imagination of winemaker, Justin Seidenfeld, who is managing the project. The tanks will ferment grapes grown north of Lake Sonoma, beyond the reaches of the Rockpile AVA, on the ranch of Crawford Cooley. He says the tanks are the most efficient use of space, allowing 22% more fruit in the same space compared to traditional round tanks. The shape also allows the skins and seeds (the cap) to be more spread out for more even distribution, which will lead to better extraction of flavor and tannin.

Highlighting their year of silver anniversary celebrations will be a four-city Celebrity Chef Tour dinner set for Saturday, September 20, at Rodney Strong Vineyards and in New York City, Miami and Austin. The whole evening is timed to share live via broadcast to each venue and online. Noted wine personality Leslie Sbrocco will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies in Healdsburg and she will be joined by Food & Wine magazine’s senior wine editor Ray Isle in New York City, Food & Wine contributing editor Anthony Giglio in Miami and Ziggy the Wine Gal in Austin. There’s cast of chefs too numerous to mention, who will contribute their time in support of the benefactor, the James Beard Foundation.

For all Luther Burbank Center for the Arts does for the community, Rodney Strong Vineyards’ family and team are proud to have been the Center’s Exclusive Wine Partner since 2009, helping support all the Center’s programs.

For up to date information on Rodney Strong, visit rodneystrong.com.