I love this winery. I have memberships to clubs around Northern California and Oregon and am so grateful to have this one so close. Natural to minimal intervention wines are the best complement to any wine drinkers collection. These go great with food, sitting out in a hot day, or just lazing any evening. They are never the most complex wine but so tasty. Alcohol content is lower so it's not too intoxicating. Sulfates are lower to avoid headaches, body aches, or other untoward effects. Most importantly, your palate and food are never overpowered. Broc makes the best natural wines in the North Berkeley radius by far. Try the reds. Not that big of a fan of their whites or sparkling. If you love wine, try these with all foods and you will never have palate canceling flavors. read more

Broc Cellars is a quintessential Berkeley spot. They've adjusted so well in COVID and offer curbside pickup and... They also now sell plants! When I go to pick up my wine (wine club is amazing) I always pick out a plant to take home either for myself or a gift read more

Broc Cellars - Plants & wine - Wineries Near Me - Berkeley, California

Closer to home than Napa Valley, we not only enjoyed our tasting at Broc Cellars, but enjoyed learning about where they get thier grapes, name and checking out the really cool little building on Camelia Street. You too can make your own little wine crawl in the Bay Area and pick up bottles in the $20-30.00 price range. That's a great deal, in your own backyard! read more

Spring Release 2017 update: yes, it is true that Broc Cellars makes interesting and authentic wines that reflect artisanal winemaking sensibilities and a vineyard-specific sense of place, not to mention a quirky love for oddball grape varietals. Yes, it is also true that few winemakers in California are as willing to cast their UC-Davis credentials to the wind in favor of free form enological experimentation, even venturing into historic viticultural territory by crafting contemporary vintages using heritage vines and heirloom grapes (like Mission, Valdiguie, Counoise, Chenin Blanc, and Carignan). But the third leg on the sturdy Broc Cellars winemaking footstool is an unexpectedly good knack at throwing a really great party. A wine club pick-up party in an unassuming urban wine ghetto, you understand. Not a Bacchanalian disco bash beneath the stars, accompanied by neon lights and sun-bronzed shoeless dancers popping corks on expensive bottles of luxury branded sparkling wine. It is West Berkeley, after all. Not Bordeaux during Robert Parker barrel tasting week, not a million-dollar Paso Robles sculpture garden with room for a Rolling Stones cover band, not an award-winning Napa Valley architectural trophy home that charges your Tesla with the power of the sun while you sip $180 Diamond Peak Cabernet from $60 Gabriel hand-blown crystal glasses. A Tuscan Hills sunrise view Chris B. and his half-dozen strong team of assistants and tasting room helpers most certainly have not. They have morning traffic on I-80 instead. So, you improvise. You invite the Hog Island Oyster Company to serve raw sweetwaters from Tomales Bay outside on your crush pad. They bring Washington State oysters for the grill as well, slathered in chipotle whipped butter. You buy up a small army of locally made baguettes (being so close to Acme Bakery does have its advantages) and serve them with a tasteful array of cheese, sliced prosciutto, and dry salami. You set up several tables with the six spring release wines that your wine club members will receive in their own personal tote bags, and you throw in 2 bonus wines to taste at the end for good measure (both of which you will want to buy to add to your loot). You install elegant Japanese-inspired flower arrangements, but you leave the streamers and smoke machines behind. You don't blare loud 90s music or hide the signs of a working urban winery behind curtains or closed doors. You let people bring their dogs (on leashes) and infant children in strollers, you don't hand out tickets limiting you to 3 oysters only. You don't hand stamp or cast suspicious looks at that guy in the sweater who asks for yet another pour of sparkling Chenin Blanc to wash down his final raw oyster. And you don't limit this party to members only, either (although they do get to come for free, with a +1). You charge $15 per person, the same amount as a regular tasting, and you waive it with a bought bottle. You don't count the pennies; you calculate the PR value of such an attractive event. You build it into your business model. But above all else, you don't compromise on your original vision. You serve a nouveau Cabernet Franc mere months after the grapes were harvested. You don't mask the grape phenolics with the heady vanilla-rich aromas of heavily toasted oak. You don't gorge your native yeasts by feeding them with DAP. You open a 2012 bottle-aged vintage of Luna Matta Vineyard Mourvèdre (Paso Robles AVA). You serve a blended rosé and a single varietal vin gris. You make a wine from Mission grapes, which most people encounter only in history books on California wine. You adhere to minimally intervenionist methods, even if not everyone agrees that this makes the most crowd-pleasing, high alcoholic wines that flaunt their 95+ critical scores online and on the covers of wine lifestyle glossy magazines. An hour later, you have sampled all 8 of the opened wines, plus a few "revisits." You have eaten a half dozen oysters, grilled and raw. You have broken your vegetarian vows and inhaled cured meat along with an extra glass of Mourvèdre. You have picked up your club allocation and added a half dozen extra bottles at a 25% discount. You are ready to head for home, to cellar some wines and set aside others for more immediate drinking - until the next time. Who would have guessed that natural winemakers like Broc Cellars also know how to throw great parties? The next time you see people standing in line on the corner of 5th and Gilman on a Sunday afternoon, slow down and seek out free parking. And get ready to try some intriguing wine. Note: a 2016 Lagrein Rosé (sourced from El Dorado County, Sierra Foothills AVA) was also released in spring 2017 but wasn't being poured at the release party. read more

See all

This was a cool spot nestled in Berkeley. It's on a block we're there are other tasting rooms. They make their own wine there. Tasty white wine. They have tasting flights or you can purchase by the glass or bottle. Prices were pretty good. They don't sell any snacks. read more

Broc Cellars - Wines - Wineries Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Very interesting wines in a beautiful environment. I would give them 5 stars if there were breadsticks or a cheese plate for purchase.

Broc Cellars shares wines with character true to where they come from. I loved discovering a winemaker that embraces the variance caused by the natural environment right here in Berkeley. read more

Broc Cellars recently opened a tasting room, and it's a treat! I've been twice, once during an Elite party and then again with my brother to do their regular tasting. The tasting room is super tiny, but comfortable for four people. The woman conducting the tasting was extremely friendly, taking the time to walk my both myself and my brother through the fundamentals (we're both wine dummies). I'd definitely recommend Broc to folks looking for a quick tasting in Berkeley. read more

Cute spot. There was 1 wine tasting consultant for the entire place and it was super busy. So the tasting took a lot longer than I wanted it to or planned it to. The wine tasting consultant was pleasant though and very knowledgeable. Their wine was not my favorite but I like how they try not to use any additives in any of their wines. The tasting fee was $15.00 for 5 wines. read more

See all

I enjoyed all of the wines in the tasting. The interior was cool with a charred wood on the walls like the toasting of an oak aging barrel. Service was not my favorite as it was a Saturday night with a tasting bar full of people, yet only one friendly wine server that unfortunately didn't really have the sense of urgency that I like to see in a server. Each pour seemed to take a bit too long. read more

Broc Cellars - Wineries Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

I attended the event of their release in August. I tried their vine star red wine at Francis and it was excellent. At the tasting event, we got to try different whites and red wine varieties. Oddly, all the red wines tasted too young. The best wine was the white vine star blend wine. The flavors just juiced out. I was disappointed with this years vine star red release, having tasted the year prior. The best red wine that was poured was the carignin wine. Though to me, still a little immature, the flavor would be dead on. read more

This a great wine made in the "natural" style, without some of the funky aspects of natural wine. Don't get me wrong, this isn't your standard Wine Spectator stuff, it's small production with interesting varietals. I am now a member here, and $150 for 6 bottles twice a year is phenomenal value. I really enjoy tasting here too because the people who staff the place like to nerd out about the wine when you engage them. read more

I have to admit that I love most things with the word "wine" in them, so if you are a serious wine connoisseur, you may want to skip my review. But if you are like me and like to drink wine and are even more pleased with finding great local wine, made by cute people, in the east bay, read on! In short, I popped in here with a few friends on a lovely Saturday and we loved this place and the wine. Yes especially the wine. I fell in love with the Carignane and picked up a bottle. The label artwork alone was worth the price of the bottle. I think that my friends bought at least one bottle of everything that they were pouring. Previous yelpers mentioned that the tasting room is cold, but they are in the process of fixing that, so if you judge your wine on the comfort of the tasting room, come back soon and give them a try. read more

I loved this stop on a recent Yelp wine hop! This fresh and unpretentious little urban winery served four wines on the day that I visited. They specialize in low-wattage ecological winemaking techniques using organic grapes. I don't know about you, but I like my hedonism without the guilt, so this is right up my alley. The space of the winery is urban and cool. An entire wall is composed of glass tiles set in the concrete. I didn't get a look at the actual tasting room, so I can't vouch for it. Rhea (I'm not sure if that is how she spells it.) took care of me on my visit and was very friendly. I really liked, and purchased, their 2011 Vine Starr White Wine from Central Coast fruit. It's an easy drinking wine (but not too easy). It's very fresh. The 2011 Skin Contact Roussane with El Dorado grapes was a tad sharp for my tastes. It was a big hit with other tasters, so try it out on your palate. The Paso Robles 2010 Luna Matta Vyd Mourvedre was excellent. This would be very good paired with flavorful or rich meals. It's one that you could be pleased to bring to a dinner party. I wish that I had also bought the 2011 Its Complicated Valdiguie Green Valley-Solano County. It's not all *that* complicated as a wine. ;o) It's very good. It's one of those wines that I could see going well with fish, chicken or meat. It has an interesting history, as the vine it's from was mistakenly attributed to Gamay for one hundred years. Thanks to genetic typing, it's now known not to be the supposed Napa Gamay. I recommend visiting here, and buying some wine (of course). The prices were fair relative to their quality, production methods, and sustainability. read more

Enjoyable experience tasting wines. Wish they were open Friday as well, rather than just the weekend. I particularly liked a slightly chilled red and the Grenache Gris. The love rose was also nice. The outdoor area is really nice and the interior tasting room is quite unique. They have nice quality wines that are not mass produced, and farmed with good practices. It's also super close to Donkey and Goat so great to visit both for an urban vineyard tour! Also close to Fourth Street and Gilman district--both great places to get snacks or meals! read more

3 stars based solely on the wine and because their pourer gave me their corks which I reused and made some cool little succulent planters out of. Recycling is my life. Not a fan of the reds. I'm hoping that next time I can taste again and they can change my mind. Although my mouth never lies...so...with that said: The space is pretty. read more

Lovely spot - cute patio - great owners - delicious wine - great alternative to traveling to wine country. Awesome!

My favorite wine label by far. Everything Chris Brockway makes is delicious and intriguing. Their winery has character and an aesthetic that complements the wine. A must go when you're in Berkeley read more

This wine is the shit. Love the vibe, love the ppl. The folks selling the wine are very knowledgeable, attentive and fun! Love Annie and Ryan! read more

We love Broc Cellars. Awesome winery with a tasting room in Berkeley. Especially enjoy their Counoise and Grenache Rose. Also love that we can bring our dog with us to the tasting room. read more

This is an authentic artisanal winery . The staff presents the wines in a sincere and unpretentious way. The wines are generally not the common, run-of-the mill, big production varietals. (Although their zinfandel is DELICIOUS). Each wine is a thoughtful conversation piece. I consistently look forward to the wine club releases and pick up parties. read more

Every time I try a new or different wine from Broc, I am consistently impressed.

We discovered Broc Cellars after a tasting at Donkey and Goat, and were instantly wowed. The menu was impressive, the server's genuine demeanor made for a great tasting experience, and we bought a bottle of Zin for a New Years Eve party - needless to say everyone who tasted the wine had something great to say about it. I only wish we were closer to Broc, so that we could become members and enjoy the tasting more regularly (currently live in Oakland). Oh, and dog friendly is a definite upsell to this place. read more

Haven't been to their cellars but I love their wine, especially Grenache 2013, Cassia Mendocino. I live in Sonoma Co so I have access to many different wines but this wine is really rises above the rest. read more