Pican, Seghesio Family Vineyards, and Chris Lilly - BBQ Was Never So Fun!

Check the sweet swag from our Kingsford hosts! Everything from flexible grilling skewers to a Chris Lilly signed copy of the Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book!

Best fried chicken in Oakland, with over 70 orders a night it can be hard to even get a table, much less a drumstick! But when it's drizzled in truffle honey it's worth the effort!

So I know that the fried chicken was outstanding, but the real prize was not even in their eats but in their drinks! and like a real alcoholic that I am at such a tender age, there wealth of over 100 Bourbons were there to make me happy, and did!! From Bookers to Bullet, there Revolver was outstanding, and the Old Fashioned was made with Maple Syrup! These mixologists were outstanding!

Bullet Bourbon Revolver, and a Maple Syrup Old Fashioned

It was then on to the Tasting/ Blending Zinfindel class with Pete Seghesio, after blending our perfect mix we then corked and personally labeled our wine to be enjoyed in about 6 months! Such a cool class, really makes you differentiate your palate between acid and tannins, as well as smoothness, and sweetness!

The crown jewel, and the bread and butter wine was the award winning 2008 Zinfindel - A blend from sites in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. Flavors of dark ripe cherries and sweet raspberries followed by velvety mouthfeel. This wine alone is in production for over 70,000 cases, keeping this vineyard more than afloat and able to dabble in many other exciting vintages, as well as sustainability projects!


The beautiful laid table in the coveted area of the Seghesio vineyards barrel room! With strict orders from the master winemaker to be out in less than 12 hours so he could get back to blending, we started the party and the band kept it going. From the candle-lit sconces to the three bottles per person of the high-end vintages of Seghesio wine (including "Venom" a particular favorite! which is a 100% beautifully balanced Sangiovese!) this was a tasting extravaganza all week long! This particular ending was doubly sweet as we all got to really talk to the winemakers, and 'powers that be' at Seghesio including the story-telling phenom that is Uncle Ed.