10 Clay Street, Oakland, California

Visited in July 2022

Rosenblum is a wine cellar located in Jack London Square, where the San Francisco Bay Ferry terminal is in Oakland. It’s directly on water street and hard to miss. The setting is perfect for a date, happy hour with friends, birthday drinks, or just a hang with your friends. They do often get booked up, so I encourage you to make a reservation on Yelp. Otherwise, you may find yourself without a table (this happened to me once!).

The Ambiance of Rosenblum is charming industrial. Indoors, there are low metal tables and high-topped wooden tables with stools. There is also some seating at the bar. Outside, there is a large outdoor patio seating area, with umbrellas. There are no heaters, so bundle up if it’s cold, but when it’s warm / sunny – it is a delight to sit outside. You have an unrestricted view of the water. They do have a 2-hour reservation window, meaning you can’t get too comfortable and hang out all night .

The wine list is actually quite extensive. Rosenblum is known for their Zinfandels, big & bold, but they also have a variety of other wines from other producers you can order as well. If you are a wine aficionado, it’s a fun place to try some new things, just be warned that the staff are not trained sommeliers. They are kind and helpful, but as a person who used to work in the wine industry, they couldn’t tell me about old world / new world, flavors, scents, etc. So, I’d say just go with an open mind and to try what interests you. They have three different flights (a red, white, and sparkling), so those are great to do if you’re indecisive or want to see what they have to offer. 

If you end up ordering a glass that isn’t your jam, they will replace it for you. Also, if you become a regular, the staff make it a point to remember your name and make you feel welcome. I appreciate this

Speaking of becoming a regular – if you are a local, I encourage you to sign-up for the wine club. No, I am not marketing for them, but it is actually quite a good deal, as there are discounts on food and wine. Since I live locally, I can take advantage of the discounts when stopping in, along with the free glass of wine when I do make it over. So, the membership really pays for itself if you go even a few times in a month.

Rosenblum does have a short list of foods, which are helpful when hanging out for a bit. They have personal pizzettes, cheeses, hummus, crackers, etc. Everything is ala carte, meaning when you order a cheese, you get the whole block of cheese! So, order carefully, or you’ll be set with a lot of food. Prices are reasonable for what you get. I really like the Prairie Breeze hard cheddar and if you’re lactose free the Labneh cheese is not bad! I will admit I have never had it before, but I will likely order it again. 

Overall, if you are in the Jack London area and are looking for a casual place to hang, catch-up with friends, or simply grab a glass of wine, I recommend checking-out Rosenblum. It may not be located in Napa, but it definitely gives you a taste of wine country in the city.

~Jeremy