Uncorked at Oxbow opens in the Oxbow District, by Kari Ruel

Two diversified and incredibly likeminded Napa Valley residents have come together to invest once again in a struggling Downtown Napa. Celeste Carducci and her fiance, lawyer turned vintner, Bruce Ahnfeldt are opening Uncorked at Oxbow, a unique tasting room, just in time for Auction Napa Valley. The pair is not letting a questionable economy, a closed street and a bankrupt tourist attraction across the street stop their vision from proceeding.

“Several people think we are crazy,” said Carducci. “But we believe in the potential of Downtown Napa and the new Oxbow District.” “I agree,” said Ahnfeldt. “Uncorked at Oxbow will be a place for people to come in, taste wine and have fun. We will not be a stuffy old traditional tasting room.”

Uncorked at Oxbow combines Carducci and Ahnfeldt’s extensive wine backyard with their desire to restore, preserve or recreate old buildings in Napa. Carducci purchased a historic mansion in 1988 and turned it into the McClelland-Priest Bed and Breakfast Inn in Old Town Napa. Just around the corner Ahnfeldt is responsible for the restoration of the Victorian that houses COPE. Their new tasting room will feature the award winning Ahnfeldt Wines and Carducci Wines. Even before COPIA closed its door suddenly early this year, Carducci and Ahnfeldt wanted to continue the education of wines similar to its neighbor. “We didn’t want to open just another tasting room,” said Carducci. “We wanted it to be different, kind of a mini COPIA that will serve both the locals and the tourists."

"Uncorked at Oxbow will offer food, wine, art, music and education.” The two purchased a 1900 circa home at 605 First Street, which in the early years were three separate mini homes. From the 1930’s until present, it operated as a single family dwelling. “Our VIP Room actually saw seven births in that one room,” said Carducci. “It makes me smile to think about it. Life was created here. Now we are creating new life ourselves.”