By Kathy Chouteau
On the heels of a busy week, I beelined over to Windchaser Wine Co. in Richmond for it’s “First Friday” event this month. There, this reporter encountered many familiar faces and also made new friends amid the prevailing festive vibe. I also found my new “favorite thing” to do in the Rich.
The first Friday of the month from 4-8 p.m., this urban winery in the Southwest Annex neighborhood hosts a fantastic event on its large patio where community members can chillax with other locals while sampling Windchaser’s wine, ordering food and drinks from a variety of vendors and enjoying live music.
“We’ve been doing this for almost two years now,” said winemaker and proprietor Dave Gifford, who runs the winery with his family.
“It’s pretty much the same core of pop ups: Rocky Island Oyster Co., Pickles N’ Smoke, The Factory Bar and myself, and you know, it’s great to provide a place for local music and people to hang out and get together.” He added, “It’s like a once a month gathering, but it’s getting bigger and bigger and we’re having a good time.”
Two vendors Gifford mentioned were there last Friday night: Pickles N’ Smoke, serving up mouthwatering BBQ eats, and The Factory Bar, which had a variety of spirited drink offerings, including the popular Point Molate margarita.
Also vending was Origin Brewer with its tasty brews, Pie on the Fly with a variety of pizzas, and Green Panda Eats’ gourmet cookies.
Inside Windchaser, visitors can purchase a cheeseboard with a variety of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. cheeses, as well as Rustic Bakery Flatbread Bites. Also on hand are many delicious wines by the glass, including Pinot Gris, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Rose, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Red Blend, and Syrah, or by the bottle.
Carmen Wong of Green Panda Eats, who has been vending at First Fridays for two years, summed up Windchaser’s patio scene. “I love it because the vibe, the people, the music, all the other fellow vendors, everybody is just wonderful and super nice. And being here, no matter how your week has been, just brings your spirits up.”
Friday night also brought on Chris James and the Showdowns performing live classic rock tunes, which rose the crowd to their feet for a night of dancing under the stars.
But what this reporter loved the most about the packed house was the multigenerational camaraderie that was afoot. I bumped into familiar faces such as vendors Tom Lyons and Michelle Guest (The Factory Bar), Michelle Baker (Origin Brewer) and Dave Friedrich (Pickles N’ Smoke). Also on the patio was Nakele (Richmond Rotary) & Alto Rechenauer, and Sarah Wally & Beatriz Dominguez of (both of Richmond Main Street Initiative). Tiffany Harris (Bay Area Girls Club) and Tamara Shiloh (Multicultural Bookstore and Just Imagine Kidz) and Ruthie Ableson Olivas (Security Pacific Real Estate Brokerage) couldn’t make it Friday, but are known regulars.
Our table was shared with a rotation of multiple new acquaintances and a general friendliness permeated the crowd. If you’re looking to make friends and meet people, THIS is a Richmond destination you ought to check out.
Children were on the scene too, blowing bubbles no less. With food being served, the younger set are welcome on the patio, bubbles, adorable smiles and all. So Windchaser’s First Fridays are family friendly to boot, with pizza ready to be served.
See you at the next First Friday, April 3rd from 4-8 p.m., with SourFlower as the musical guest playing rock, country and pop hits. Find Windchaser Wine Co. at 1352 S. 49th Street in Richmond.
