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Welcome to Rush Wines

Rush Wines is a small, Birmingham-based distributor of limited-production wines from around the world. Founded in August of 2002 by entrepreneur Rush Garner, Rush Wines seeks to bring some of the world’s finest wines to its local markets, thereby promoting fine wine awareness in Alabama. Argentina, California, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Oregon, Portugal, Spain, and Washington figure among the viticultural areas whose wines the company represents. Rush Wines also distributes its own private-label chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, which embody the company’s focus on higher-quality, handcrafted wines made by small-scale, family-owned wineries.

Current Happenings...

This summer, winemakers and representatives from the following wineries will make their annual pilgrimages to Alabama, where they will present the newest releases from their portfolios. During their visits, they will host a variety of fun events around the state – please check this page regularly for a current schedule...

Italian wine savant Daniele Dobboloni, who hosted several successful events in north Birmingham during the month of June, will return to Alabama in July, this time visiting Mobile and Baldwin Counties! Daniele Dobboloni is the founder and owner of The Italian Wine Trader, an importing house based in Laguna Beach, California. A winemaker in his own right, Daniele founded The Italian Wine Trader as a means of introducing the American market to high-quality, hard-to-find, traditional wines from Italy. Among the award-winning wines he will introduce in south Alabama are an exquisite Gavi from Piedmont, a sumptuous Super Tuscan and several superbly balanced Chiantis from Tuscany, a luxurious Brunello from the critically acclaimed Azienda La Velona, and an intense Valpolicella Ripasso and chocolatey Amarone from master winemaker David Sterza. Daniele's portfolio is positively stunning!

Also in July, Sybil Ajay of Vinoce Winery plans on making a visit to north Alabama. This is the very first time that someone from Vinoce – father to the Twenty Rows and Wall Cellars projects – has scheduled a visit to our state! Vinoce is a small, family-owned winery owned by Brian and Lori Nuss. The winery’s name (pronounced vin-o-chay) is a play on the Nuss family name and on Brian’s German-Italian heritage: nuss means “nut” in German, while noce is “nut” in Italian. Combined with the French vin for wine, Vinoce can be translated as “wine nut.” Over the last 28 years, Brian and Lori have developed an intimate knowledge of growing cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc on the rugged, hillside slopes of Mount Veeder. Employing sustainable vineyard practices, they strive to create wines that are a true expression of the Mount Veeder appellation and that showcase the nuances of each individual vineyard block. Brian and Lori are also involved in the small négotiant project known as Twenty Rows. Twenty Rows has been hailed as “one of the best-kept secrets in Napa Valley.” Encouraged by the success of his homegrown Vinoce and using fruit supplied to him by his friends, Brian released the first vintage of his Twenty Rows Cabernet Sauvignon in 2003. The label now comprises a cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and zinfandel blend. Brian obtains his grapes from top producers up and down the Napa Valley with whom he has built relationships over the past 30 years. Twenty Rows wines display luscious primary fruit aromas and flavors in a framework of solid suppleness. They can be laid down or enjoyed in their youth. Under the label Wall Cellars, Brian and Lori produce a modestly priced cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel. For more information about Vinoce, please visit www.vinoce.com. For additional information about Twenty Rows, visit www.twentyrows.com.