It was last year at Auction Napa Valley that Uncorked at Oxbow Tasting Salon opened in the Oxbow District of Downtown Napa.  Since then owners Bruce Ahnfeldt and Celeste Carducci have gotten married and are helping to create the “Buzz” in Downtown.

After working around closed streets, a shaky economy and friends questioning their judgment of their investment, the diversified and like-minded couple have created an intriguing business that has attracted travelers near and far as well as a strong local following.

One of 15 winery-based tasting rooms in Downtown Napa, Uncorked at Oxbow offers a unique experience unlike any other tasting room in the Valley.  Besides combining their love for food, music and the arts, the pair offers tastings and the ability to buy futures of wine from their barrel room. The dynamic duo leads guests through their own blending of a Napa Valley Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

“We are the only licensed, bonded and refrigerated barrel tasting room, offering barrel tastings and blending sessions (shown above) on the premises,” said Carducci.  “We allow our guests to create their own blends and cue into their own palate of what they enjoy.   One person might like 20 percent Merlot mixed with 80 percent Cab and another like a different combination.  It’s all subjective.

“Our tasting room reflects our passion and ability to have fun while we work, sing and play together,” said Carducci.  “Our favorite thing to do is host monthly parties celebrating a new wine release with local artists and musicians performing.”  Two guitars and a keyboard are available in lounge for guests to pick up and entertain.

The tasting salon is housed in a circa 1900 home at 605 First Street, which in the early years were three separate mini homes.  Their current V.I.P. Salon was the birthplace of the original owner’s five children.

Uncorked at Oxbow features award-winning varietals of Ahnfeldt and Carducci wine, including their popular Cabernet blend entitled Provocative as well as their exclusive Merlot-based blend Quid Pro Quo.  They have also released the first of their Napa Valley/Italian style Carducci Pinot Grigio. The Rosato and Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet and Sangiovese will be available summer and late fall respectively. The barrel room offers three varietals of their 2008 vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

Their anniversary party is June 5, 5-9 p.m. Come in and get uncorked with them. www.uncorked-at-oxbow.com

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