On a cold and rainy Sunday afternoon, downtown Brentwood’s Co. Co. County Wine Company hosted Bloomfield Vineyards’ first Futures Release Party. The event was the first of its kind in East Contra Costa County.

Guests were greeted by hosts Tom and Becky Bloomfield and special guest chef Patrick Robertson of Restaurant 615 in Pittsburg. Within minutes, Co. Co. was filled with patrons waiting to sample this year’s vintage and experience the seven courses of appetizers paired with each varietal. “This is an amazing event for Becky and the Association,” said Aldo Ghiozzi, president of the Contra Costa Wine Growers Association.

As each course was delivered, Becky Bloomfield explained the nature and background of each wine and Robertson introduced the food. Among the crowd favorites was the 2009 Pinot Noir, perfectly paired with Spicy Pulled Pork with Dried Fruit Chutney with Point Reyes Blue Cheese.

The 2009 harvest will yield only 1,100 cases from the Bloomfields’ 240 acres in Brentwood. Several cases were sold at the release party, a large percentage of which were purchased by Robertson for his restaurant’s wine list. “Becky’s Devil’s Daughter is my absolute favorite and delight to serve with a wide variety of epicurean dishes,” said Robertson.

According to Tom Bloomfield, “Becky’s palate is exquisite. Her ability to blend is a true and natural art and is just beginning to explode. Me – I just grow the grapes.”

Bloomfield Vineyards, founded in 1996, has garnered many awards over the years, the most recent of which were Best of California for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier at last year’s California State Fair. Bloomfield’s Cabernet Sauvignon also took a Double Gold, besting 4,400 competitors.

This year’s Chronicle Competition brought home four silvers and two bronze. Co. Co. County Wine Company is jointly owned by the Bloomfield and Swisher families and pours Bloomfield Vineyards and Tamayo Family Vineyards wines in their tasting room along with a variety of Contra Costa County wines.

“Having Chef Patrick with us to prepare these yummy foods is exciting,” said Becky. “This day was amazing, from the familiar faces to our newfound friends. I think we all had a fabulous day and a wonderful and unique experience.”

Restaurant 615, operated in conjunction with the Contra Costa College Culinary Academy, employs 35 students in its food preparation and service. “We are so pleased to incorporate this amazing local winery on our menu,” said Robertson. “Showing support of our county, we even bought our furniture for the restaurant just blocks away.” He believes East Contra Costa County is about to embark on an exciting journey as it blossoms into an award-winning wine region and culinary destination.

For more information, call Co. Co. County Wine Company at 925-634-9463.