Granate from Mugsy’s Wine Bar asked us to pass along word of this oenolicious evening event tonight, at the dive-glamorous El Rio:

Mugsy’s pop-up wine bar at El Rio – a bar inside a bar

Friday, June 1st 5-8 pm
El Rio: 3158 Mission St. (at Precita)

There’s a lot of wine out there, and a lot of shmancy places to drink it. But there’s only one El Rio, your dive bar. Two nights a month leave the preciousness and head out to the patio to enjoy four stellar wines with Mugsy’s pop-up wine bar. Focusing on wines crafted by women, people of color, and urban winemakers.

Mugsy will pour “Betelgeuse” a 2009 Sauvignon Blanc from Napa’s Brown Estate. This wine is seductive, confident, and sexy. Three things we all like. Brown Estate is owned and operated by the Brown family, which has farmed the land for over three decades. In 1995 the Browns started producing under their own label and have become known for their rich Zinfandels and complex red blends. This Black-owned winery has emerged as an elegant presence in Napa. (The Connection: Mugsy’s Granate went to college with Cristy Chung, whose partner Ina went to middle school with Stefanie Kelly, Brown Estate’s Director of Operations. Oh me oh my we love San Francisco.)

There will also be a 2009 Sonoma Pinot Noir from Stomping Girl Wines, 2010 Dry Creek Zinfandel from Bayview-based Gratta Wines, and one (or two) more surprises to be announced soon.

Meet winemaker Barbara Gratta whose Zinfandel began in a garage and traveled to international heights as an award winner. Wines are $5-$10. Together with a finite batch of free oysters at 5:30 and homemade piadina (Italian flatbread) from La Piada Randagia, it’s time to leave your house again.

Lots of Mugsy’s mug shots on their Tumblr.