In early February, alumni, parents, and guests gathered to taste and toast a selection of Bowdoin winemakers in Glen Ellen, California. The event was hosted by Thomas McKinley ’06 and Hannah Weil  McKinley ’08 at the McKinley family’s Oak Glen Reserve, a private vineyard nestled on a hillside outside of Glen Ellen.

Arriving by shuttle from around the Bay Area, guests were greeted by six winemakers who generously poured and shared their Cabernets, Chardonnays, Pinots, Syrahs, Zinfandels and sparkling wines. “To discover Bowdoin wines over the years has been very special. This event gave us a chance to not only to taste several Bowdoin wines we hadn’t tried before, but also to meet and talk to the alumni behind the wines. It was a unique experience that only Bowdoin can provide,” said Ellen Chan ’97 and Cali Tran ’97.

“We had ‘Classes and glasses’ with the whole spectrum of Bowdoin all together. Wonderful fun!” noted Julie Johnson ’76, of Tres Sabores. Andrea Fish ’82, P’18 and Steve Roth P’18 commented, “We had such fun connecting with so many members of the Bowdoin community – alumni and parents – in a perfect setting, on a perfect afternoon, over perfect wine!”  Blake Wheale ’09 showed up on his own for “an amazing afternoon, tasting some great wine surrounded by fun and interesting people. What a great venue!”

Featured Bowdoin winemakers included:

• Hugh Davies ’87, Schramsberg
• Julie Johnson ’76, Tres Sabores
• Tyler Olbres ’99 and Gennie Marvel Olbres ’99, Nellcôte
• Nick Peay ’88, Peay Vineyards
• Christian Whipple ’97, Lighthouse Cellars

Also featured was the McKinley family’s wine from the Oak Glen Reserve. With great food and great friends, Thomas McKinley ’06 made sure to say “We look forward to highlighting another group of Bowdoin vintners next time!” For more photos of the day, please visit our SmugMug album.