AT&T Park puts new wine choices on roster
News
The notion of wine drinking at a baseball game, or any sporting event, is still lost on a lot of people, even in San Francisco, which is one of the most wine-savvy places in the United States. Beer may still be the drink of choice for many, but fans are increasingly turning to wine, for on a breezy summer night, a glass of red might be more apropos than an Anchor Steam.
Since I started writing the annual “drinking wine at AT&T Park” column, the selection and variety at the baseball park have steadily improved. Last year, Centerplate and its director of concessions, Sandie Filipiak, put a new wine venue, Vintage 58, on the promenade level behind home plate. Here you can find nearly a dozen wines, of which eight are on tap. Vinum’s 2012 White Elephant, a blend of chenin blanc, roussanne and viognier, and its Rhone-style blend, Red Dirt, are but two of the California selections that are available. You will also find imports such as a 2013 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and Simonnet Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé. All wines cost $10.50 for a single 5.5-ounce glass (cup), $21 for a double and $48 for a carafe that carries the equivalent of a bottle of wine.
This year there is a portable annex of Vintage 58 on the view reserve level, providing easier access for more fans. Mixing it up a little bit, Filipiak chose to offer different wines here such as the Recuerdo Torrontes from Argentina and Acrobat Rose pinot noir from Oregon. The pricing is the same, but only wines on tap are available.
While Vintage 58 is open to everyone, those lucky enough to be on the club level are privy to the Farmers Market food stand that pours wines from smaller producers, such as the Medlock Ames Cabernet Sauvignon ($13), which comes from an organic producer that is also entirely solar powered.
Even if the Giants aren’t playing well, you can still enjoy a glass of Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs ($16.75) as well as selections from Qupe and Thomas Fogarty.
Beyond these spots, there are other carts throughout the stadium that sell an array of popular California wine brands such as Acacia and Wente. Since AT&T Park started making wine more widely available, I’ve noticed more fans drinking it. I’ll be the first to admit I love the pastime of drinking beer at a game.
But sometimes I might want to have wine, or be with someone who does, and having some good wines available is but one of the assets that makes the Giants’ home one of the best in the country.
Originally posted in The San Francisco Examiner.
Anthony Bora May 1, 2014 at 10:10 am
Great job Sandie, keep up the great work. Vintage 58 was one of the most creative, well designed locations I have seen in any stadium. I may be back out there in June to visit, I can’t wait.
Sandie Filipiak May 1, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Thank you so much Anthony, Vintage was a concept I wanted to do for 5 years before I finally was able, now I have another Vintage on the view….cannot wait for you to come out and visit and see all of the additions!!!