Perched high on the west end of campus, the Collins School of Hospitality Management can be a bit of a mystery to students outside its major. And though it is an internationally recognized, first-of-its-kind school, it still has a few secrets housed within its 43,000 square feet.
Lodged beneath Building 79A, under tight security, is a wine cellar that few ever get to gaze upon. With the capacity to hold upwards of 6,000 bottles at its peak, the cellar is much bigger than the closeness of it belies.
"This is a classic example of a great wine cellar," said Collins School lecturer and Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch chef Scott Rudolph.
Key card access is required just to use the elevator that leads to the cellar. Once the doors open, a small foyer opens onto a cozy dining room where charity fundraisers are held for as much as $10,000, with a door on the right leading to a patio and a glass-paneled wall on the left that reveals the wine storage room.
Cork floors, custom wooden racks, temperature control set at 55 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity control make the cellar optimum for storing wine, according to Rudolph and fellow Collins School lecturer and chef Ernie Briones.
This blending of classic craftsmanship and technology, which Rudolph calls "state-of-the-art," is almost as impressive as the extensive collection of wines housed in this facility.
"We try to get wines from all regions of the world," said Briones.
The wines that are served at RKR, which comprise a substantial portion of the wine stored in the cellar, are selected by all Collins School faculty members as a group.
Briones said next year they will strive to get even more varieties, especially those from South Africa, South America and parts of Europe that aren't currently represented.
Each quarter, new wines are selected that complement the food at RKR. Briones estimates 275 to 375 bottles move through the restaurant every quarter.
The wines come as cheap as $5 a glass, with a 2006 Beringer White Zinfandel being the cheapest bottle at $12. The most expensive bottles, such as a 2000 Cuvee Meritage, come in at $80.
"We're easily the best priced wine list in Los Angeles County," boasts Scott.
The cellar also serves as storage for the wine used in classes like HRT 315, the Master Sommelier program and the Bordeaux Wine School USA.
In addition to the wine cellar, the Collins School also has a vineyard, with grapes that are close to harvest at this time of year.
There are plans to install a full orchard behind RKR where the new herb garden and outdoor dining will be featured.
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