Central Coast living is reason to raise a glass but do you want red, white or pink?
An Airstream trailer parked in picturesque Edna Valley is taking the phrase “rose all day” to another level.
Malene Winery manager William Becker brings his French expertise to their unique tasting room.
“This charming trailer is our tasting room indeed. We have rose on tap from some kegs actually,” Becker said.
Less than a year old, Malene is tapping into a major wine trend.
“We specialize in Rose. We do it French style, Provencal style,” said Becker.
According to Nielsen, there were more than $460 million worth of rose sales in 2018.
“There’s almost like a renaissance around rose that we totally embraced at the beginning, at the start. We’re not here by opportunity. We saw that coming five years ago,” he said.
Instead of a traditional tasting room, Malene uses an Airstream trailer to showcase their wine. Becker says it was a choice made with clear intentions.
“Something classy, something fun, something beautiful, something that can move around,” he said, linking the versatility of the trailer to the versatility of Malene rose.
While many American wine consumers consider rose as a spring or summer wine, Becker says the French drink it year-round.
Malene hopes to teach visitors that rose is for every occasion and just because it’s French, doesn’t make it fussy. Visitors can opt to have their rose poured from Malene’s sciency-spin on a decanter.
“Instead of having a glass, instead of having just a bottle, they’re going to do a flask, a beaker of rose,” Becker said as he filled a glass flask with rose from the tap.
If you are not interested in the wine, there is plenty of other entertainment at the “Malene Scene,” as Becker calls the space.
“We can totally accommodate everyone. You can bring your picnic, you can bring your dog. It’s kid-friendly of course,” he said. “We just provide and French music… if it’s wanted.”
This Friday and Saturday, Malene will be featured at a rose wine festival in Edna Valley.
La Fete Du Pink will showcase local and international roses. Tickets to the festival are available online.
Malene’s trailer is open for tastings Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located 7767 Orcutt Rd, San Luis Obispo.
