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San Francisco Chronicle
20 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
This S.F. winery is closing — and so is a chapter in the city's history
A chapter in San Francisco winemaking has come to an end. Winemaker Ed Kurtzman is closing his urban winery in the industrial neighborhood bordering Bernal Heights. Apart from wineries on Treasure Island and the Bayview's small-batch Gratta Wines, Kurtzman's was the last commercial winery in the city. 'In February I realized that the end was probably in sight and that I'd waited too long to make a final decision,' said Kurtzman, who crafts the labels August West, Sandler and Mansfield-Dunne. 'I can't afford to keep the winery running myself.' What kept the winery at 495 Barneveld Ave. running were Kurtzman's custom-crush clients. A few years ago, 29 winemakers worked in his facility. Now it's nine. Some former clients, like Ottavino and Waits-Mast, moved their operations to Wine Country. Others shuttered their brands, a reflection of the struggling wine market. The remaining wineries — Theopolis, 1211, Seamus, Perfusion, Grand Scheme, DeMeo, Arthur, Hersly and Fallon Place — now need new homes. Kurtzman expects many of them will find custom-crush arrangements in Wine Country or the East Bay. Kurtzman's winery was the final vestige of a boom in San Francisco winemaking in the early and mid-aughts. Software engineer Michael Brill opened Crushpad in Dogpatch in 2004, a tech-forward juggernaut that allowed laypeople to create their own labels, paying by the barrel. It was a hit, churning out more than 5,000 different wines in its first eight years, according to Wine Spectator, and attracting a $3 million investment from industry mogul Bill Foley. After Brill relocated the business to Wine Country in 2010 — he needed to be closer to the vineyards, he said — two Crushpad alums launched Dogpatch WineWorks, a smaller-scale version of its predecessor. Another pair of Crushpad winemakers spun off their own enterprise, opening Bluxome Street Winery in SoMa in 2010. Meanwhile, a former financier in the Mission District, unaffiliated with Crushpad, was making the A.P. Vin label on Treat Avenue. And winemaker Bryan Harrington, who started making wine in his Bernal Heights garage before moving to a Hunters Point warehouse, was gaining a following for his wines made from esoteric European grapes. The activity in this period was a throwback to 1890s San Francisco, when as many as 100 'wine houses' operated within the city limits, journalist Frances Dinkelspiel reports. Farmers would send their grapes to San Francisco, whose mild climate was appealing for wine storage and whose port made it an easy hub for shipments. Kurtzman joined the party in 2007. At the time he was living in the city but working for Freeman Vineyard & Winery in Sebastopol, 'paying exorbitant amounts of money on gas and bridge tolls to drive back and forth,' he said. In partnership with Gary Franscioni of Roar Wines, he converted a building at 81 Dorman Ave. into a working winery. They later moved to Dogpatch, then the partners split up. In 2014, when Kurtzman relocated to the large space at Barneveld Avenue, he decided to expand with custom crush. His timing was fortuitous: Dogpatch WineWorks closed soon afterward, and several of its clients moved in with Kurtzman. Many colleagues were San Francisco residents like him who bought grapes from Wine Country or areas south of the city but didn't want to commute. Some devoted themselves to their wine brands full time, but plenty were 'weekend warriors,' as Kurtzman put it, 'smart enough to realize that they should keep their day job.' 'People have come and gone as they've realized it's much harder to sell wine than it is to make wine,' he said of his custom-crush roster. 'Whether they gave it three years or 10 years, they just slowly faded away.' The other San Francisco winemakers faded away, too: A.P. Vin, Harrington, Bluxome Street and the Mission's Eristavi Winery, whose bottlings were inspired by the Republic of Georgia, all closed. Despite the short commute, urban winemaking presents other challenges. There's the schlep to the vineyards, the extra cost of transporting glass from warehouses in Benicia or Fairfield, and the fact that most San Francisco-produced wine is then trucked to Napa or San Jose for long-term storage. Trucking costs have doubled in the 18 years Kurtzman has been making wine in San Francisco, he said. Treasure Island still houses several wineries, but on the mainland, Kurtzman's closure leaves just winemaker Barbara Gratta, who started out in her Bayview garage before moving to a small facility nearby a few years ago. She produces about 400 cases a year and sells them from her Third Street storefront, which includes a wine bar and Italian market. Kurtzman will continue making the August West and Sandler wines; he may retire his Mansfield-Dunne label. He'll now be looking to become a custom-crush client himself. The good news is that 'there's so much custom-crush space available, and prices seem reasonable,' he said. He understands why many of his San Francisco compatriots have given up on making wine, especially now. 'I don't blame them,' Kurtzman said. 'For me, it's my only career, so I'm sticking with it.'
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Michael Caine, 92, pushed in wheelchair by Vin Diesel on lunch meeting
Sir Michael Caine, 92, headed to lunch with Vin Diesel in London this week, with the Fast and Furious actor seen pushing him in a wheelchair Sir Michael Caine's close pal Vin Diesel helped pushed the 92-year-old in his wheelchair as they went to lunch in Hammersmith, London. The Batman Begins star made a rare public appearance as he went to lunch at the River Cafe with Fast and Furious actor, Vin, who turns 58 next week. Michael kept it classy in a black suit with a dark blue shirt, black trousers and comfortable black shoes. Vin, who has been friends with Michael for three decades, was by his side as they went to the popular A-list hotsput for food. Michael's partner Shakira, 78, and Vin's girlfriend Paloma Jimenez, 41, joined the duo for the outing. In pictures obtained by the Metro, Vin was seen rocking a casual light blue polo shirt with white trousers and trainers. The group were filming for an upcoming documentary about Michael and a camera was seen placed on a tripod near the table for the two-hour meal. The group even sang Happy Birthday Diesel before tucking into dessert ahead of Vin's 58th birthday. Vin and Michael have been working on a project called Mark and Maurice. Vin took to social media at the end of June to announce the indie project along with a picture of him posing with Michael. He said: "It's crazy to see so many of you just discovering Kaulder…" referencing his character in The Last Witch Hunter, which he starred in with Michael in 2015. "Filming The Last Witch Hunter with Michael was such a dream come true," he added. "The response from people discovering it now is surreal – getting to work alongside one of my dearest friends and seeing people connect with that story years later… That's really the magic of this business. "Michael and I have been close friends for decades. He came into my life after I had lost a childhood friend who became a New York City police officer and lost his life in the line of duty – one of my personal reasons for filming that infamous New York detective. "Somehow Michael's friendship was healing and loving, and I've been blessed to have him in my life. Over a year ago, Michael and I started working on an independent project called Mark and Maurice. I can't wait to share what we've been up to." Michael once opened up about feeling "fed up" over never winning an Academy Award in the leading actor category. Despite being nominated four times over a 30 year period, he hasn't ever been awarded Best Actor in a Leading Role at the film awards ceremony in the US. He said in an interview with Salon in 2003: "I've been nominated four times for a leading Oscar and you get fed up sitting there losing, you know? "I keep sitting there with that smile on my face, that same sickly smile, saying, 'Well done!'"
Metro
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sir Michael Cain helped by actor as he replaces zimmer frame with wheelchair
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A famous US actor was seen helping Sir Michael Caine in a wheelchair during a recent outing in London. The 92-year-old, who is best known for starring in films such as The Italian Job and Alfie, was pictured alongside his wife Shakira at the River Cafe in Hammersmith, London. But helping him get to his seat at what is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the capital was none other than Fast & Furious icon Vin Diesel. The 57-year-old actor who played Dom Toretto in the film franchise could be seen pushing the British legend in his wheelchair. Michael was photographed for the first time since transitioning from a zimmer frame to a wheelchair. The Zulu star was also seen sporting a band-aid on his face as he looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself during the two-hour meal. According to reports, Michael was even seen singing happy birthday to the Fast & Furious star, who turns 58 next week. The pair are said to have been close friends 'for decades' and according to Vin they are working on an independent project called Mark and Maurice. Joining Vin at the meal was his long-time partner Paloma Jiménez and his two children. Both Vin and Michael were said to be enjoying each other's company for the early birthday celebration as part of an upcoming documentary. Vin was seen dressing casually in a blue polo shirt, sunglasses and sneakers. Meanwhile, Caine wore a suit jacket and matching pants. After the meal, which is known for its Italian cuisine, Vin could be seen rubbing his stomach, clearly satisfied with the celebration. It comes ahead of the US actor's jury trial for sexual battery starting next month on August. The Hollywood star's representatives have claimed there have been no cases against the actor for sexual misconduct or assault allegations, according to reports. The unlikely duo previously starred in the 2015 movie The Last Witch Hunter. More Trending After retiring from acting in 2023, Michael has been enjoying his time out of the spotlight, sharing an insight into his personal life in his 2024 memoir Don't Look Back, You'll Trip Over: My Guide to Life . In his book, Michael even wrote about his and Vin's friendship, where he explained how they first met at a dinner party 30 years ago. Vin has also spoken about their friendship in a recent Instagram post, where he said: 'Filming The Last Witch Hunter with Michael was such a dream come true. 'The response from people discovering it now is surreal — getting to work alongside one of my dearest friends and seeing people connect with that story years later… That's really the magic of this business,' he wrote. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Paul Walker's character returning to Fast & Furious franchise 12 years after his death
Metro
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Paul Walker's character returning to Fast & Furious 12 years after his death
Vin Diesel has teased that the late Paul Walker will feature in Fast and Furious 11 despite the actor's tragic death in 2013. The 57-year-old actor – who has portrayed Dominic 'Dom' Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise since its debut in 2001 – admitted one of his 'conditions' for returning for a final movie in the series was to bring back Brian O'Conner, played by Walker. The cop-turned-street racer was played by his friend until he died in a car accident in 2013, aged 40. Walker was in the passenger seat of his Porsche Carrera GT – driven by friend Roger Rodas – when the vehicle spun out of control, crashing into two trees and exploding in a fireball. Speaking at Fuel Fest in California over the weekend, Diesel said: 'The studio said to me, 'Vin, can we please have the finale of Fast and Furious [in] April 2027? 'I said, 'Under three conditions.' First, is to bring the franchise back to LA. The second thing was to return to the car culture, to the street racing. The third thing was reuniting Dom and Brian O'Conner.' It is unclear how the character could return to the series, and Vin didn't expand on whether archive footage or a digital creation would be used. Walker was brought back to life in Fast 7, the seventh film in the Fast and Furious franchise, which was released in 2015. In the final moments of the film, the actor can be seen driving away after giving his co-star one last smile. The stunt was pulled off by using deep AI and CGI technology to place the late actor's face onto his brother Cody Walker's face, who was driving the car. The actor's daughter, Meadow Walker, had a cameo appearance in Fast X to 'honour her father's legacy.' The last film in the franchise was Fast X, which was released in May 2023 and was initially advertised as the first of a two-part saga, but it is now unclear whether Fast 11 will pick up the story after such a lengthy delay. More Trending Alan Ritchson was a newcomer in Fast X as Agent Aimes, and he recently admitted the next movie has been delayed because it takes so long to coordinate the schedules of stars in the franchise, such as Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Jason Momoa. Alan told Screen Rant: 'We talk about it quite often. That is one of the biggest challenges that the franchise faces is that you've got a lot of guys like Dwayne and Vin and Momoa and myself and everybody's super busy. So trying to get the stars to align so we can make that happen is a feat of nature. 'So we'll see how it goes, but this is a passion project for Universal and it's one that I had a blast doing, so I'd love to get in there, and I'll bring it to life again.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Rock star shares hospital bed update after 'very aggressive' cancer diagnosis MORE: Beyoncé halts concert after being left dangling from car mid-air MORE: Controversial singer's UK tour date cancelled after campaign over sex abuse allegations
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vin Diesel teases return of Paul Walker's character in Fast and Furious 11. Fans ask ‘See You Again pt. 2?'
Actor Vin Diesel joined his Fast and Furious co-stars Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker at the Fuel Fest in the US on Saturday. According to Variety, Vin spoke to fans about what to expect from Fast and Furious 11, the final film in the franchise, and teased the return of Paul Walker's character. The internet had mixed reactions. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in one of the Fast and Furious films. Vin told a crowd of fans that Fast and Furious 11 will tentatively be released in April 2027. He also teased Paul's return and said, 'The studio said to me, Vin, can we please have the finale of Fast and Furious [in] April 2027? I said, under three conditions. First, is to bring the franchise back to LA! The second thing was to return to the car culture, to the street racing! The third thing was reuniting Dom and Brian O'Conner.' For the unversed, Paul played a cop turned street racer called Brian O'Conner in the film franchise. The actor died in a car crash at age 40 in 2013, so it is unclear whether AI will be used to digitally insert him into the film or if Vin is talking about old footage. Internet reacts Fans of the franchise had mixed feelings about Paul's return to the final Fast and Furious film. 'Bruh whyyy, he had such a great send off. Let him rest in peace,' wrote one Instagram user, while another said, 'The final Fast and Furious movie was Fast and Furious 7 when the white car drove away while Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa were singing See You Again.' Some wondered if the famous song See You Again would be featured again, losing its impact, 'See you again part 2?' and another joked, 'Fast and furious: the conjuring.' A frustrated fan wrote, 'Enough is enough. There's a fine line between grief and missing someone and being obsessed and exploitative. This goes for Paul, Aliyah, Selena, Tupac, Biggie, and a host of others. Let em REST!' Some fans, however, seemed happy about the news, wanting to see Paul one last time, 'Great call he was a huge part of the franchise he absolutely needs to be included in the final movie in someway shape or form. It wouldn't be right if he wasn't.' About Fast and Furious Kicking off the franchise was The Fast and the Furious, which was released in theatres in 2001. The last film in the franchise, Fast X, was released in May 2023, and it grossed more than $700 million worldwide. Starring Vin Diesel, Alan Ritchson, Jason Momoa, Michelle Rodriguez, Rita Moreno and Brie Larson, it was advertised as a two-part saga. So it remains to be seen if Fast and Furious 11 will continue the story of Fast X after a major delay.
