Sonoma Cast Stone, a growing legend in concrete fermentation tank science, and much more!

July 16, 2017

Written by Ken Wornick

Backed by 20+ vintages and many dozens of wines produced, Ken is a Sonoma-based wine consultant and founder of Sonocaia Estate Vineyeards, Dysfunctional Family Winery and Hydeout Sonoma.
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Being the modest guy that he is, he would fight me off from this label, but at age 82 and still very vigorous, Steve Rosenblatt meets the definition of genius. And with his charming and equally accomplished wife Martha, they make quite the dashing yet modest pair. It is a well known story, but when they went to build a house, they were unhappy with the standard choices in hardware and surface finishes. Steve the engineer went to work on that problem. And twenty years later, at his rambling laid-back open-air facility, Sonoma Cast Stone in Petaluma, there is enough smoking hot innovation going on in this facility to compete with Edison, Bell, and Tesla. This includes a new generation of concrete tiles, sinks, tables, and hardware, metal forging, world-renowned concrete wine fermentation tanks in all manner of style, color, and function, oak-barrel-concrete-tank-replacement beta tests, stainless steel fabrications, pumps, hardware, software, calibration and measuring tools, and the list just goes on. Steve is literally the modern day Willie Wonka, and Sonoma Cast Stone is literally the modern day Chocolate Factory. I wish I could divulge more, but suffice it to say there are enough confidential new ideas and technologies to launch a dozen new businesses…

Sonoma Cast Stone Steve Rosenblatt and client name plates 1 - Sonoma Cast Stone, a growing legend in concrete fermentation tank science, and much more!

Steve in front of a small portion of the many branded concrete nameplates of wineries he has supplied with all manner of concrete and stainless equipment including Spottswoode, Frog’s Leap, Foley, Harlan, and Cuvaison.

 

Concrete egg fermentation tank cuvaison e1498700202891 - Sonoma Cast Stone, a growing legend in concrete fermentation tank science, and much more!

A couple of concrete egg fermentation tanks in the late stages of fabrication.

Ken Wornick Linda Cano Steve Rosenblatt - Sonoma Cast Stone, a growing legend in concrete fermentation tank science, and much more!

Linda Cano, executive director of the sizzling hot Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and Steve, join me in front of a newish egg for Cuvaison. I am happily on the board of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and likewise Steve and Martha are ever-reliable supporters. Linda (pictured here), and her fiancé David Keaton (climber of the tallest peaks on every continent, yes, including Everest) joined us on the tour of Sonoma Cast Stone.

 

Concrete fermentation vessel Harlan - Sonoma Cast Stone, a growing legend in concrete fermentation tank science, and much more!

Steve and I are discussing the merits of this particular concrete tank, an absolute beauty in design, functionality, and finish.

Sonoma Cast Stone fermenation tanks in a deep dark hue - Sonoma Cast Stone, a growing legend in concrete fermentation tank science, and much more!

Three of my favorites – a trio of deep dark eggs ready to make some inky Sonoma red wine.

Sonoma Cast Stone fermentation tanks ready to ship - Sonoma Cast Stone, a growing legend in concrete fermentation tank science, and much more!

A truckload of beauties headed out the door.

Find more information about these amazing fermentation vessels at:

http://www.concretewinetanks.com

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4 Comments

  1. Nick

    Love this story and this biz, I had them build new kitchen counter tops / sink and matching mud room sink – fit on top of the 1950 original cabinets. What an amazing product – looks and performs so well and right here in my town.

    Reply
    • Ken Wornick

      Nick –
      Thanks for the kind reply, thanks of organizing the fun night in Petaluma and at your place, thanks for coming by last night for the Ag event, and thanks for buying a sign! You rock. Looking forward to more fun together…

      Reply
  2. Menno

    Hello,

    I’m in the coffee business. we do fermentations and I’m looking for suitable fermentation tanks to run trials with coffee. I saw your tanks, they look very good. Where can I get specifications, options and prices ?
    Thank you.

    Gr Menno

    Reply
    • Ken Wornick

      Try these vendors – Santa Rosa Stainless Steel (in Santa Rosa Ca) and Quality Stainless (in Windsor, Ca.)

      Reply

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