Happy Fourth of July

Where does one start in describing the person and the story of Bernadette Byrne. Vivacious, spirited, energetic are a few of the adjectives that almost sum up this powerful woman who created and now runs SIP, the exceptional Wine Bar in Hopland, California.

Bernadette was a pre-med student in college. It was an enjoyable time, but she recognized that she was not ready for medical school then and it turned out not ever. With this realization she focused her attention on microbiology and biology. She found she loved fermentation and the science of winemaking.

She’d been raised in San Francisco. She was of the third generation of the Byrne family. Her father, Jack, ran Byrne’s Fine Foods before he retired. He began his own career as a butcher working for his father at O’Connor’s Market-which later became Byrne’s Fine Foods. Jack worked alongside Bill Robert, founder of Robert’s Market in Woodside and Portola Valley as well as the Andronico Family. He used to like to say, no one knows for certain, that Joe Carcione had his first paying job working for Byrne’s!

At the table, Bernadette certainly dined well. Her father never served a pre-packaged deli meat. Chateaubriand and abalone were de rigueur for the household. And, they had access to the finest restaurants. These elements were instrumental in guiding her to follow her path.

One harvest, Beringer Vineyards recruited her to work in the enology department. After graduating, she was asked to stay on and she worked for three years in production.

In 1986, the famous Fetzer family approached Bernadette. Throughout her 11 years with the Fetzers, she worked in a variety of roles. She was the first Director of Food and Beverage; it was this job that truly bonded her to the industry. Unlike many other wineries, they sold only to the trade-not directly to consumers. She worked with the experts, the distributors, the wine buyers of premier retail and restaurant accounts as well as major corporate accounts, like American Airlines, Marriott, Sheraton, Ramada among many other substantial U.S. companies.

During her tenure with Fetzer Vineyards, she lived on the Valley Oaks property. It was nirvana she remembers. In the mornings she strolled the property and picked her own foods. During the days and many nights she ran the Food & Wine Center.

She managed five-day programs. As if she did not have enough on her plate, she, simultaneously became the President of the Mendocino Wine Grower and Vintner Alliance. Today this is the Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission. The strategic mission for this organization was to bring to prominence the smaller producers. She and others considered this to be a serious missing link.

The boutique, especially family-owned, wineries became her passion. SIP was created to showcase the wealth of talent found in Mendocino County. Her concept, her tag line is “SIP is where good friends and great wines come together”.

More lucrative opportunities have come her way; larger wineries in Napa and Sonoma have pursued Bernadette. But, she loves Mendocino; this is where her heart is. If she were to leave, she said she would feel soulless. Where else in the world would she find such committed, dynamic and rugged people-she asks herself.

In her opinion, the last 15 years have been very challengin years in the traditional wine market. The large wine and liquor corporations have purchased a lot of formerly quality brands from other counties. Most Mendocino wineries have retained their independence and their personality. The vintners here preserved their integrity of product; many are rich in their heritage and often still family owned. The county has the luxury of multiple microclimates. Different Appalachias produce different varieties- Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon to name a few.

About three years ago, Bernadette learned of Rosati Family Vineyards. She has been selling out of each of our vintages regularly. For Bernadette, our wine is made in the old world style-it is a flavorful wine that is deftly crafted, elegant and balanced. It is a “stunning example of the right clone, soil, climate, handling and winemaking.” “It is one of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines I have tasted, especially and unusually from our county.”

On this Independence Day 2011, whether you are picnicking or dining or watching your favorite baseball team, we encourage you to celebrate with a glass of Rosati Cab-made in the new world for discriminating consumers. And, when you are in Mendocino, don’t neglect to stop by Bernadette’s wine shop for an enchanting “tour” of Mendocino wines.

Happy Fourth!
Danelle and Mario

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