Food

Bruce R. Cohn is a name unlikely known to most unless one follows one of America's perennially favorite rock bands, the Doobie Brothers. Though Bruce is not a Doobie, he has been the manager of the Doobies since 1969, but he leads a double life.

Since 1984 he has also owned and operated the successful B. R. Cohn Winery located in Sonoma Valley where in addition to wine, he also makes artisan olive oil from 140 year old French Picholine olive trees located on his property and holds an annual charity concert featuring the Doobie Brothers at the winery's amphitheatre with his Sonoma vineyards as the backdrop.

That an uber successful rock band manager could be an uber successful vigneron might seem a stretch, but not as much of a stretch for Bruce as one might think. His family moved to Sonoma when he was a small child to operate Northern California's first grade-A goat farm. Bruce grew up among the grapes and goats in Sonoma.

His family moved to San Francisco when he was a teen. After graduating from college, he worked in San Francisco as a television engineer for two years at night and run a music rehearsal studio by day. In 1969 Bruce started managing what was then a local band, The Doobie Brothers. This lengthy relationship has brought all involved great wealth.

In 1974 Bruce retuned to his roots purchasing an old dairy farm in Glen Ellen for a weekend retreat. This weekend retreat evolved into his 90 acre Olive Hill Estate Vineyards where he became intensely involved in all aspects of growing grapes on the property. For the next decade he sold his grapes to other wineries. In 1984 he opened his own B. R. Cohn Winery.

Bruce and his family live in Sonoma with Moose, the canine mascot of the winery. According to Bruce, Moose, a canine accident, is a Blab, the result of a liaison of an English Bull Dog and a black Lab. He is an enormous dog with a benign personality. I made the mistake of standing in his favorite sunny spot in the tasting room where upon he curled up and rested his giant head on my foot.

Moose is immortalized throughout the winery. Whimsical sculptures of Bruce and his faithful dog greet visitors as they approach the winery. The sculptures are make from recycled materials and are the product of local artist Patrick Amiot. The winery's gift shop has numerous likenesses of Moose as well as the estate's olive oil and wines.

The winery is a beautiful spot to visit. The tasting room is open from 10 to 5 daily. An appointment is necessary to tour the winery. There is much to see and do at this facility, Doobie Brothers memorabilia, Bruce's antique cars, amusing sculptures, tasting outstanding wines, sampling olive oils, and visiting with Moose.

Amidst these trappings of success, Bruce Cohn has not forgotten to give back to his community. The winery just held its 22nd Annual Charity Music Festival. Proceeds benefit Sonoma charities. Next year's 2009 festival is tentatively set for October 3rd and 4th.

You don't have to visit the winery, to try the following B. R. Cohn wines available in Alabama through Pinnacle Distributing. Ask your favorite wine store to secure them for you.

2007 B. R. Cohn Sonoma County Chardonnay. $25 range. Great for sipping with a giant dog's head resting on your foot. One of the new wave chardonnays from California where vanillin imparted by oak takes a back seat. Clean and crisp like a green apple, delicious. Great with creamy cheese, seafood, and poultry.

2006 B. R. Cohn Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. $40 range. Lush pinot noir. Flavors of red fruit candy with an earthiness characteristic of good pinots. Excellent with rich poultry dishes and lamb.

2006 B. R. Cohn Sonoma Valley Merlot. $32 range. Serious merlot. Not for wimps. A big wine that will pair well with a big steak.

2005 B. R. Cohn Olive Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. $55 range. Sonoma is not necessarily known for its cabernet, but the soils of Bruce's Olive Hill Estate Vineyards are warmed by underground natural hot springs making the vineyard's microclimate ideal for growing cab. Dark fruit aromas and flavors. Excellent structure. Balanced. Great finish.