Tourist season is a fading memory, school is back in session, and with several weeks of San Francisco's finest weather ahead of us, it's time to spread out, kick back and properly enjoy our beaches, parks and backyards. While you soak up the sun, it's critical to stay properly hydrated.
Canned wine and cocktails are great picnic choices: Single-serving aluminum cans are lighter weight than glass (and may be taken to places where glass may not), chill more quickly and, most importantly, they now contain high quality contents. You can sip vintage varietal wines or pop the lid on cocktails crafted with top shelf spirits and bitters.
Plus, there are plenty of great options coming out of Northern California. As always, we've done the heavy lifting for you. Enjoy!
Can Can Cocktails
Former Sacramento bartender Ryan Seng crafts small batches of his lightly effervescent creations using premium spirits and ingredients from the Central Valley. The line currently offers a choice of three cocktails: White Linen, a cool refresher of cucumber, elderflower, gin botanicals, lemon and vodka; 120, Seng's own crisp recipe of vodka, raspberries, lemon juice and mint; and Boar's Bourbon Root Beer, a rich and boozy brew of bourbon, botanicals, mint and Angostura bitters. Sacramento locals find these dangerously drinkable during their broiler pan summers. // Can Can cocktails ($16 per 355ml four pack) are available at Dolores Market, 698 Guerrero St. (Mission) and Acme Bar & Company, 2115 San Pablo Ave. (Berkeley); cancancocktails.com
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Salt Point Moscow Mule
This blend of spicy ginger, lime juice and vodka can be enjoyed over ice in a copper mug or straight from the can. Based out of Mill Valley, Salt Point's "retro-nautical" canned cocktail hit Northern California store shelves last summer. It's their first cocktail, but we're hoping it's not the last. // Salt Point's Moscow Mule ($18 per 350ml four pack) is available at Healthy Spirits, Mollie Stone's and Whole Foods Markets; saltpoint.co
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Field Recordings Wines
Paso Robles winemaker Andrew Jones has developed a well earned reputation for his Field Recordings bottled wines. As an avid fisherman, Jones wanted a wine he could conveniently enjoy while on the water and decided to can some of his blends by spinning off a new label: Alloy Wineworks. But don't be fooled by the aluminum packaging—the 2014 Fiction Red is so solid you could pour it in your Riedels to pair with dinner. Jones also cans a few fun spritzers. // Alloy Wine Works ( from $7 per 375ml can) is available at Jug Shop, 1590 Pacific Avenue (Nob Hill) and San Francisco Wine Trading Co, 250 Taraval St. (West Portal) and select Whole Foods; fieldrecordingswine.com
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St. Mayhem
Napa Valley's Art Farm Wine has been bottling well regarded varietals and blends since 2008. In 2012 they added the St. Mayhem label to allow expansion into more esoteric realms—think sauvignon blanc aged with fresh cut jalapeño and habanero peppers, and coffee brewed with merlot instead of water. Someone had to do it, right? Earlier this summer they rolled out their first canned craft wine cooler: Ginger Loves Company. This bright, innovative treat was made by aging organic peaches and organic ground ginger in chardonnay. Soon to follow: Tao of Mint (a rosé herb blend) and Spicy Lil Fkr (a white wine spritzer dosed with hot peppers). This is definitely not your mother's Bartles and Jaymes. // St. Mayhem ($25 per 250ml four pack) is available at select Whole Foods; artfarmwine.com
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Flipflop Wines
Better known for their bottled varietals, Livermore's Flipflop Wines also cans its blended whites, reds, rosés and sangrias. These slightly sweet wines are meant to be fizzy, fun and enjoyed straight from the can. Pair with a beach chair. // Flip Flop Wines ($6 per 250ml four pack) are available at Noe Valley Market, 200 Noe St (Noe Valley) and Fort Mason Market, 1701 Greenwich St. (Cow Hollow); flipflopwines.com
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Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Coppola has been canning their softly effervescent Sofia Blanc de Blancs blend of pinot blanc, riesling, and muscat since 2004 and recently added a crisper Brut Rosé version that combines pinot noir and chardonnay. Each can comes with an attached straw. Look for canned versions of their popular Diamond brand white wines in the coming weeks. // Francis Ford Coppola canned wines ($17 per 187ml four pack) are available at BevMo, Safeway, and most other supermarkets and liquor stores; francisfordcoppolawinery.com
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Mancan Wine
With the motto "Shut up and drink," you could easily assume these non-vintage blends were created for mindless enjoyment, not serious reflection. And while Sonoma County winemaker Graham Veysey advises that his wines' notes "are more rock than classical," both the white wines (one still and the other carbonated) and the red wine are surprisingly well balanced. The slightly sweet viognier blend bursts with peach, honey and a light citrus finish. The hearty red stands up well with a meal. Though at 12.5% ABV, day drinkers will need a siesta after tipping a few of these. // Mancan Wine ($16 per 375ml four pack) is available at BevMo!, 1301 Van Ness Ave (Pacific Heights) and Cheers Market, 867 Fillmore St. (Alamo Square); mancanwine.com
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Winery cofounder Andrew Mariani fermented pinot noir from the Carneros region in stainless steel tanks for 36 days to seal in the crispness of Una Lou, his amazingly bright rosé. The slightly effervescent wine is named for Mariani's daughter, who was born during the 2016 harvest. Pop open a can and drink in tart grapefruit balanced by aromas of stone fruit. // Una Lou ($10 per 375ml can) is available at The Wine House, 829 26th St. (Dogpatch); scribewinery.com
