You Can't Get More Local Than Rail Bridge
As Northern Californians, we're pretty spoiled when it comes to wineries within 100 miles. I mean, that gets you to Napa and Sonoma--the wine meccas of the west coast. But since I moved to Sacramento, I've been a big fan of drinking more local wines, including those from Lodi and Clarksburg. Recently, though, I got to try an even more local wine, as in less than 2 miles from downtown. You can't get much more local than that, unless you're making your own.
The wines I sipped right next to their barrels, without even leaving the city, are from Rail Bridge Cellars. Sac native Jon Affonso is the owner and winemaker. He finally realized his dream of an urban winery last year when he opened Rail Bridge in an old car body shop (once again, a foodie use for an old auto shop) on N. 16th Street. His first two wines came about when he asked himself, "What does Sacramento want to drink?" Jon took his background in enology from Fresno State, experience making wines in France and California, and did some statistical analysis of the Sacramento market. Thus he chose to release his first two wines: a 2006 Sauvignon Blanc made with Dry Creek Valley fruit and a 2004 Lattice (a blend of 5 Bordeaux varietals) with Napa County fruit.
I'm no wine expert, but I drink my fair share and I know what I like. Dry whites are it for me--especially in the hot summers here--and the Rail Bridge Sauvignon is a terrific example. It's fermented in steel tanks and has citrus and green apple flavors. Since he first learned to make wine in France, Jon follows the French tendency toward wines that are great with food--not just for drinking on their own. He likes to pair the Sauvignon with Fish Tacos, Melon Ball Salad, Shrimp or Crab Louis Salad, and Chicken Enchiladas. The Lattice, on the other hand, is a hearty wine aged in French oak barrels (which are amazingly expensive and made by hand). It wasn't so robust that it would overwhelm food with its fruit, though, and Jon likes to serve it with Grilled Salmon, Roasted Chicken, and Grilled Rib Eye Steak with Fries.
I had a few questions for him after the tasting, and here's what he said:
Q: Why did you decide that you wanted to make wine in the city limits as opposed to where some people might think of as the beautiful valleys where the wine grapes grow?
A: The more pragmatic reason is simply the overhead is cheaper. The closer proximity to the market allows me to have a closer relationship with my customers. It offers people the opportunity to see the winemaking process up close without the traffic of Hwy 12. Lastly, it makes me a free agent in the market for grapes. I can source my fruit from anywhere in the state to assure the best quality for any given variety.
Q: What do you see as your biggest challenge and your biggest opportunity?
A: At this stage I see three opportunities. As to which is the biggest, only time will tell. First we have a premium wine that is produced locally and readily available to the Sacramento Market. Second, we have a very unique venue for events of many kinds with plenty of space and character. Lastly, we are a custom crush facility with the means to produce wines for others.
Q: I noticed that you have artwork lining the walls and you have 2nd Saturday receptions. Are you open for times other than 2nd Saturdays?
A: We have another even on the Friday before 2nd Sat and it is called Wine and Wordz. It is a performance art show with music and spoken poetry. Tickets sell for $20. Also, I do open the cellar for tastings by appointment. People can simply email me or call me to make an appointment: Jon@railbridgecellars.net or 946-492-2530
So give Jon a call to check out Wine and Wordz tonight, with jazz singer and poet Cleo Cartel, vocalist Sene, poet Rodzilla, and vocalist Jackie Bryant. 8:30 to 11. Or tomorrow, Jon will host a 2nd Saturday reception featuring the Woodlake Artists Group art sale and charity event. 6 to 9 p.m.
And look up the Rail Bridge Web site for more on Jon's background, his philosophies, and why he chose the I Street railroad bridge as his icon. You'll also find a list of restaurants and markets that carry Rail Bridge wines, including Taylor's, Corti Brothers, restaurant Ella, and Rio City Cafe.
Rail Bridge Cellars
400 N. 16th Street
916-923-2670