No, it’s not a one-sided baseball score between the Madroña Bushmen and the Rucksack Hikers. And no, it’s not a count of the tasters in the tasting room. Instead, it’s the number of Open Houses we’ll be celebrating this year on May 25^th and 26^th.

First and foremost, I think you need to absorb in how truly unique this celebration is. We have been hosting an Open House every year at Madroña since 1981. If you can remember that far back, Ronald Reagan was president, the US inflation rate was 10.35%, and the interest rate was 15.75%! And some of you may not even have been born yet! (And if you’re wondering, the 1981 Cabernet Sauvignon is still tasting great!)

Madroña’s Open House is the El Dorado wine region’s oldest consecutively held wine event. That means every year we’ve brought out the barrels, showed off special wines, and said ‘thank you’ to all of you who have kept us in business for all these many years.

This year, however, will be unique. With two wineries now, Madroña Vineyards and Rucksack Cellars, we wanted to host celebrations for both wineries showcasing the current and upcoming wines. Since the styles are so distinctly different, each winery will have its own Open House day.

Saturday May 25^th from 11am-4:30pm, Rucksack Cellars will be celebrating its first ever Open House. Sit back and relax overlooking the vineyards while enjoying the sounds of The Wild Oak Band. The Americana folk sound of this trio paired with a warm, sunny day is just about perfect. But that’s not all.

While you’re gazing up through the pines and cedars at the blue sky, we’ll be pouring some of our favorite wines paired with our own Jerk Chicken Tacos. The new releases of the 2018 Chenin Blanc and the 2018 Barbera Rosé are spectacular, and the ’16 Cabernet Franc has quickly become a family favorite. We’ll be offering the last of the 2016 Rucksack Pinot Noir and sneak peaks at a couple of library wines. Add to this a bit of Barrel Tasting with the 2018 Rucksack Cellars Barbera, and you have a party.

It’s just meant to be a time to relax, enjoy, taste and talk.

The second day, Sunday May 26^th (11:00-4:00pm) is all about Madroña’s Open House. Traditional and comfortable, we’ve been embracing the wonderful world of gourmet hamburgers, homemade French Fries, and a selection of amazing aiolis since I don’t know when. As we all relax out back behind the winery overlooking the Zinfandel vineyards (planted in 1973), The Double Shots will be energizing us with their blend of classic rock favorites.

From the wine side, of course we’ll be doing barrel tastings of the 2017 Signature Zinfandel and something special (I haven’t decided which barrel I want to bring out). We’ll have the new releases of the 2018 Grenache Rosé and the 2018 Fiore (Yellow Muscat), and I think we’ll even release to the public the last of the 2015 Petite Sirah (9 cases!). This may be your only chance to taste this incredible wine.

The rest is all about the wines our family loves paired with great food and great conversation. If that’s in your field of interest on a lazy day in May, then I think we’ll see you here!

Or better yet, come to Rucksack on Saturday and Madroña on Sunday for the whole experience. And thank you for all the years of support! Cheers