History
Bruce Cohn, manager of the
California rock band,
The Doobie Brothers, purchased the original area in 1974. He named the property the Olive Hill Estate Vineyards after the grove of 140-year-old
olive trees, from which a sister operation continues to make ultrapremium
olive oil.
After selling grapes to other wineries for several years, Cohn founded his own winery, B.R. Cohn, in 1984. His first winemaker was the now-famous
Helen Turley [1]. The winery has hosted a popular yearly charity music concert and golf event since 1987. Like other wineries in the area it maintains a wine club and public tasting room, and hosts weddings and other events. Bruce Cohn continues to live on the estate, from where he manages both the Doobie Brothers band and the wine and oil operations.
Wines
The
vineyards surrounding the winery are planted mostly in
cabernet sauvignon grapes, with some
pinot noir,
zinfandel,
petite sirah,
cabernet franc,
petit verdot, and
malbec.
Syrah (sold only from the tasting room) and
Chardonnay is grown in the
carneros region.
The winery's flagship 1985 and 1986 Olive Hill Cabernets were ranked among the top ten in America and top 50 in the World by
Wine Spectator, which gave each a rating of 94 out of 100. The 2003
vintage was rated 93. The North Cost Petit Syrah was one of two red "sweepstakes winners" at the prestigious 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
[2]. The winery also produces
merlot,
rosé, and
port.
Oil and vinegar
Starting in the 1990s, B.R. Cohn was among the first companies involved in the re-emergence of artisan olive oil production in California. Today it produces several flavored and unflavored oils, including an organic variety.
The company also produces vinegar on-site from cabernet, chardonnay, and sparkling wine (including pear chardonnay and a raspberry champagne flavors), using the French "Orleans" method whereby batches of vinegar are produced by adding a "mother" dose of old vinegar to fresh wine, then aging 18-22 months in oak barrels. It also bottles a 25, 15 and a 12 year-old
balsamic vinegar imported from
Modena, Italy.
Cohn's oil and vinegar is widely available in premium
grocery stores in California, although some limited-production varieties are sold only directly.
References
- The storied wines of B.R. Cohn
- Best of Class