The Barrel Room restaurant and wine bar in Oakland will host a Tuesday, May 20 evening showcasing the wines of Fausto Albanesi of Torre dei Beati. This winery, located in Loreto Apruntino in the highest mountain of the Appenines in Abruzzo, produces premier examples of Montepulciano, Trebbiano and Pecorino. On May 20, four wines will be featured: Trebbiano d'Abruzzo "Bianchi Grilli," Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Rosato, and two Montepulciano d'Abruzzos. These will be available to be paired with the restaurant's regular a la carte dinner menu and also offered in special flights.
Mr. Albanesi will be in attendance. In addition, all wines will be available for retail purchase at a special discount. Information on the winery, wines, and regions will be on hand as well.
Proprietors/sommeliers Sarah Trubnick and Carolyn Johnson opened The Barrel Room in Oakland in December 2013 (and The Barrel Room San Francisco in 2011). At The Barrel Room, there is an emphasis on educational tasting flights and a wine-friendly food menus by Chefs Manuel Hewitt and Abraham Ibarra that changes every twelve weeks. Also contributing to The Barrel Room experience is Esteban Brunello whose has worked as the wine director at Oliveto Restaurant & Cafe in Oakland and as a manager and the sommelier at SPQR in San Francisco.
The Barrel Room specializes in pouring hard to find and small production wines from around the world, often in monthly-changing flights to encourage comparison. There is a varying regional focus that includes, but is not be limited to, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and the United States, with a large number of wines available by the glass (nearly 50) and bottle (over 200) and organized by profiles such as light and crisp, aromatic, bold, plush, spicy or earthy. A selection of international beers and local craft brews is also poured.
The underlying approach is to offer "something for everyone, from the wine novice to die-hard oenophiles." A substantial retail component affords guests the opportunity to purchase wines by the bottle to take home. Such purchases can also be made via a monthly wine club which includes a direct-shipment feature (http://barrelroomsf.com/wine-club).
Highlights of the engaging 30-seat Barrel Room dining room's "rustic modern" décor include old growth redwood accents, panels and facings; a rich brown and cream color scheme; redwood-topped tables and bar; bench seating; a pressed tin ceiling; pendant lights over the bar; and a polished concrete floor. Sidewalk bistro tables with room for 10 people are available, weather permitting.
The Barrel Room in Oakland, California is located at 5330 College Avenue, between Bryant and Manila Avenues. The restaurant's kitchen is open nightly from 5:30 until 10:30 pm., with the bar opening at 3:00 p.m. and closing at midnight. Neighborhood street parking is often readily available. Reservations are recommended (required for 5 or more) and can be made via OpenTable. The telephone number is (510) 655-1700. Visit The Barrel Room on the web at
https://www.barrelroomoak.com