Bluxome Street Winery Taps Webster Marquez as Winemaker

Young Winemaker Specializes in Handcrafting Wines in Northern Climates

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Jul 18, 2012, 02:31 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- One of California's most notable winemakers, Webster Marquez, has joined Bluxome Street Winery (www.bluxomewinery.com) as its new winemaker. Marquez is the co-owner and co-founder of Anthill Farms Winery and the winemaker for C. Donatiello Winery, both in Healdsburg, Sonoma County.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120718/SF42502)

Marquez specializes in crafting wines of place, balance and distinction. He has gained special acclaim for his pinot noirs by sourcing grapes from predominantly North Coast vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

"We believe Webster's common sense approach, respected reputation and entrepreneurial skills will take Bluxome Street Winery to the next level," says Bluxome Street Winery owner Matt Reidy.

Marquez believes great wine begins in the vineyard. He selects small, individual vineyards and works closely with the owners to insure optimum farming practices. The resulting wines show a pronounced link between place and product—a vision shared by Bluxome in its estate vineyard farming and winemaking practices.

"This is a unique opportunity to bring winemaking back to one of its historical American centers, San Francisco," says Marquez. "I feel privileged to be a part of such an exciting project. The combination of working with well-sourced, sustainably-farmed vineyards in Sonoma County and making wine in an urban warehouse setting was impossible to turn down."

Marquez enjoys a sterling reputation. Soon after starting Anthill in 2004, Webster and partners David Low and Anthony Filiberti enjoyed raves—and greater demand than their 3,000-case annual production could meet. Upstart Anthill earned coveted spots on wine lists at such restaurants as the French Laundry, Cyrus, Gary Danko, Boulevard and Quince; sommeliers say they can't keep bottles in stock. The sought-after label also posts consistently high scores with Burghound.com, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar and Wine & Spirits Magazine. The San Francisco Chronicle has included Anthill Farms wines in its list of top 100 wines.

Though he works successfully with several varietals, Marquez professes to have been "bit by the Pinot bug" while a crush intern at Williams Selyem. He eschews the riper, high alcohol style of many California Pinot Noirs, focusing instead on balance and freshness of flavor. Whole clusters are included in his winemaking and new oak is limited. Racking, fining and filtering are avoided as much as possible.

"My goal is to craft Pinots that express the growing site and the characteristics of the vintage," says Marquez. "But most of all, they should taste great."

Bluxome Winery Fact Sheet

Mission: Bringing the California wine industry back to its roots.

Our Story: In 1900, more than 100 wineries flourished in the area now known as "South of Market" (SOMA), where both "haves" and "have nots," washed down the day's cares. But the bustling industry was literally demolished in the wake of the 1906 earthquake and the firestorms that followed. As the city rebuilt, the vintners returned. Production boomed once more, until Prohibition's strident laws quashed winemaking ambition.

Today, SOMA's high-tech and finance firms fill yesterday's workhouses. But the working stiff's credo remains the same: You need a great place to escape the daily grind.

Founded in 2011, 53 Bluxome Street is host to layman, programmers and titans of industry alike, just as it was more than a century ago. True to SOMA's heritage, we are committed to making premium wines in the time-honored way and serving them to friends and neighbors in our convivial tasting room.

Winemaker: Webster Marquez
Production: 3000 cases
Tasting Room: We offer a variety of daily pours Tuesday through Sunday, from 12 to 7 p.m.
Private Barrel Program: Please inquire about creating your own private barrel.
Event Space: Let us host your next event. Please inquire for details.
Wine Club & Wine Dinners: Become a part of our inner circle.
Monthly Farmers Market: The Meet Market—a gathering of some of the Bay Area's best culinary purveyors. Held on the last Saturday of every month.
Contact: www.bluxomewinery.com; 415.543.5353