The Blending Cellar & Jeff and Leah McEachern

Wine Country Personality

Jeff and Leah McEachern

Are there any wine lovers out there that have not fantasized about sipping wine they made themselves? With their own label? All too often that dream fizzles once one faces the costs and required time to try the final product.

Well, wait no more! A new player on the scene changes all that. Go visit The Blending Cellar in Glen Ellen, blend your own wine and receive your vino in a few weeks!

The Blending Cellar began as a concept when Jeff and Leah McEachern (residents of Sonoma) were approached about making their own wine. They enthusiastically agreed until they found out they were required to create at least one barrel, it would take over a year and the cost would be $5000-$7000.

Jeff and Leah decided there must be an easier, less expensive way to make wine. So, in the fall of 2006, The Blending Cellar was formed. The Blending Cellar partnered with Mayo Family Winery to provide consumers with six different wines so they could blend their own wine. People blend their own wine in 1 – 2 hours, design a label and receive the final product in 2 – 3 weeks. And, they are only required to buy 6 bottles at $40 each!

Here's how they choose their blending wines. Mike Berthoud, Mayo Family Winery winemaker (formally from Arrowood Vineyards and Winery), makes world-class wines from grapes found in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Furthermore, he selects at least two distinctly different Cabernets (that range from soft and fruit-forward to intense and powerful) to blend with other classsic Bordeaux varietals — the end result is Blending Cellar customers end up with six wines for blending. The line-up for the 2006 wines include a Delaney Family and Red Dog Cabernet Sauvignon, Laurent Merlot, Ridgeline Ranch Cabernet Franc, Trio B Malbec and Bellisimo Petit Verdot.

Individuals get to taste each wine and narrow down their favorites. They blend their core wine, with or without assistance, until they perfect their ideal blend! Customers can then choose from a variety of labels and add their family name (i.e. Smith Vineyards) or a greeting (i.e. Congrats on Your Wedding or Happy Birthday John).

The beauty of the Blending Cellar concept is consumers get to make wine that suits their individual palate. "Everyone who goes through a blending session has a blast, and they walk away with a wine that taste exactly the way they like," says Jeff. "It also makes a great gift for friends, family or clients. Our personal label has a picture of our one year old and is called, McEachern Vineyards, Dylan's Blend."

And, for those people who are not lucky enough to live near wine country, they can order a Blending Kit that includes all six wines, measuring beakers, tasting notes and suggested blending instructions ($100). The kit is a great excuse to have a party or a blending session at home with friends or family.

To make an appointment in the barrel room or to order a Blending Kit, contact Jeff at 707-849-4041, info@blendingcellar.com or visit www.blendingcellar.com.