Legendary winemaker Kent Rosenblum has died unexpectedly
Alameda’s Rock Wall Wine Company and winemaker Shauna Rosenblum announced Wednesday that her father, legendary East Bay winemaker Kent Rosenblum died last night.
Rosenblum was a veterinarian with a passion for winemaking, when he founded Rosenblum Cellars in West Oakland. It was 1978 and the concept of an urban winery was novel, but he wasn’t finding the idea of commuting between a winery in the country and his local veterinary practice particularly attractive. By 2008, when he sold what had become an Alameda winery to drinks company Diageo, production had reached 250,000 cases a year.
Like many winemakers, Rosenblum didn’t exactly retire. Instead, he opened a new winery, this time with his daughter Shauna. Rock Wall Wine Company sits in a cozy building next to an old aircraft hangar at the former Alameda Naval Air Station. ·
“We are deeply anguished and saddened to report that Kent Rosenblum passed away last night in his sleep,” Rock Wall announced on Facebook. “Kent was the inspiration behind Rosenblum Cellars, which produced premium wines under his guidance for over 30 years. His winemaking talents earned him the unofficial title King of Zin. Kent was the inspirational spark for the inception of Rock Wall Wine Company, where he and his daughter Shauna have continued the tradition of crafting great wines. His zest for life was absolutely contagious and anyone who ever spent time with Kent knew how much he loved his family, his friends, skiing, wine, animals and of course Sven and Ole jokes.”
“It is with the greatest sorrow that I say goodbye to my Dad: the best Dad ever, my mentor and the kindest man I’ve ever known,” Shauna posted. “Your wines, your spirit and your Joie de Vivre will live on through all of us who adored you.”
The family has asked that donations be made to the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) in Kent’s name.