Ross Cobb, the man behind the critically acclaimed Cobb Wines, has launched the label's first tasting room this September in Healdsburg; previously, Cobb's tastings were held at their Coastlands Vineyard in Occidental or a rented office space in Sebastopol, the Press Democrat reports. Avid oenophiles once had to navigate to a secluded location just to try Cobb's sought-after vintages, an experience branded as part of the allure, yet the new Healdsburg spot offers a convenient, urban location that's hoped to complement Cobb's international sales and alleviate a "pretty flat" wholesale market, as the winemaker expressed during an interview with the publication.
The tasting room opening marks a significant milestone for Cobb, who this year celebrates his 25th year making wine and 31st harvest, his brand has been synonymous with small yields of deeply complex fruit, often yielding only half a ton of fruit per acre due to the challenging fog at their high-elevation site—1,150 feet above sea level, a problem that's been troubling the financial viability of the family's estate since the beginning Ross Cobb told the San Francisco Chronicle that his foray into winemaking wasn't vanity or lifestyle driven, but a mission to save his family's vineyard.
Cobb's parents, David and Diane Cobb, originally bought the property back in 1988 with the intention of simply growing grapes, but low yields forced Ross to consider creative ways to sustain the vineyard financially; through winemaking, that he broached with his employer at the time, Flowers Vineyards & Winery, he had already been working in soil science after getting a degree from UC Santa Cruz and several years later started his eponymous wine brand—which has now gained traction, especially in the sommelier world with its presence in Michelin-starred restaurants like The French Laundry, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Healdsburg location is shared with Furthermore Wines and offers not just a tasting opportunity but also a glimpse into Cobb's personal world—the space, adorned with touches of colorful art deco, also features turntables and a selection of Cobb's own record collection the winemaker conducts the tastings himself ($50-$75 by appointment) and maintains a sense of optimism for connecting with both loyal fans and new converts in this buzzy Californian wine mecca Cobb told the San Francisco Chronicle, "People know the Cobb brand," expressing confidence in the power of location and reputation to bring wine aficionados to his doorstep.
