Alameda brings the wine (and beer and the gin and the vodka….)

“[Alameda] is also becoming a food-and-drink destination thanks to East End Park Street restaurants serving authentic fare from as far away as Lithuania and Ethiopia, plus the solidified reputation of the West End's Spirits Alley, a popular stretch of U.S. Navy hangars turned urban tasting rooms.” - 7x7 Magazine

In 2008, winemaker Kent Rosenblum sold Rosenblum winery and started Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda with his daughter Shauna. A few years later, in 2014, Alameda’s Spirit Alley was officially launched with a ribbon cutting ceremony and networking event led by then-Mayor Marie Gilmore. Since then, the area has continued to grow and evolve. Alameda’s Spirit Alley and the surrounding area have seen a revitalized energy.

Rock Wall is definitely a go-to Alameda destination with its view of San Francisco, geometric dome, kid-friendly area, diverse food menu, and selection of great wines. In fact, Rock Wall may be one of the most popular spots on the island to take out-of-town guests, spend a Sunday afternoon, or just hang out with fellow islanders. Scolari’s Good Eats opened a location at Rock Wall winery in 2013. Scolari’s at the Point offers everything from East Coast-style pizza to burgers (and Impossible Burgers) to Buffalo-style fries and salads. The menu not only offers many of the favorites found at Scolari’s on Park Street, but it also includes specially selected wine-pairing plates.

Rock Wall is in good company in Spirits Alley, with several choices for wine, beer, and spirits tastings.

Building 43 Winery is a pet-friendly 21+ winery located right across the street from Rock Wall. Their tasting room is actually a refurbished historic Naval Aviation EOD Locker “adorned with custom metal works, wine barrels, and military memorabilia.”

In the mood for a beer? You’re in luck! Faction Brewing opened in 2013, and their motto is “Come for the beer, stay for the view.” With their tasting room, diverse beer selection, large indoor and outdoor spaces, city view, and food trucks...it’s a great place to hang out, catch up with friends, pet friendly dogs (on the lower patio), and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Don’t miss the skeeball games in the back room!

Admiral Maltings and The Rake Pub is located around the corner on W. Tower Avenue. Here you can watch them turn their malt while you enjoy a beer and a bite to eat.

“We gently turn our malt on the germination floor by hand. It creates flavor components no other method can replicate. Fresh malt from our kiln tastes unlike malt produced by larger, industrial malting facilities.” - http://admiralmaltings.com/malt

Almanac Beer Company is located next door, and has a myriad of beer on tap, including sours. The long picnic-style tables inside make it a nice spot to bring a slew of friends for beer tasting and a bite from the food truck parked out front. Make sure to try their “Farm to Barrel” series.

“Start with a tour, stay for the view,” says Hangar 1 Distillery (sense a Spirits Alley theme?). In an old WW11-era hangar, Hangar 1 creates their vodka (and brandy). Distillery tours are available, or just stop in for a tasting.

St. George Spirits, founded in 1982, is just a hop and a skip from Hangar 1. Within their 65,000-square-foot hangar, you’ll find a tasting room, laboratory, and a hefty offering of spirits: gin, vodka, whiskey, liqueurs, and even absinthe.

While you are in the area, you may want to check out the USS Hornet. You’ll see the large ship from Spirits Alley. The USS Hornet was given to the former air station and is now used as a museum ship. On the first Sunday of every month, down the main drag in the opposite direction, you’ll come across the Alameda Point Antiques Faire. The antiques show is the largest in Northern California, with 800 dealer booths, and is held on the first Sunday of every month. It’s a busy event, and turns the west end into a bustling part of the island.

The Main Street Ferry terminal can be found on the far NE side of the island as well. The boat ride to San Francisco is approximately 20 minutes long. There are two parking lots and a dog park adjacent to the terminal.

Now that you know your way around Spirits Alley, there is just one last thing to do. Decide what it will be…. wine, beer, spirits….or all three.