wine retailers in Napa Valley?
Yesterday, I went to JV liquors in Napa for the 10th time or so. I've had it with that store....illogical layout, unhelpful and disinterested employees, so so prices and overly heated interior. Wines were too hot.
So, I'm looking for alternatives. For small, hard to find choices I like Backroom Wines in downtown Napa. For quirky choices and generous tastings, I like Grossinger's in Yountville (is the owner always stoned?).
Anybody have other recommendations in the area? Thanks very much.
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maria lorraine
Aug 7, 2007 10:09 PM
I suggest finding one employee at JV that you can work with, and have him be your guide.
The prices are very good there, the selection fairly good. Nearby, the other options are Backroom, winery tasting rooms, and a few of the Safeways if you know what you want.
Otherwise, head into Berkeley -- see the great post on the Berkeley wine stores -- or K&L in the city. In Santa Rosa, there's BevMo.›2 Replies-
re: maria lorraine
Melanie Wong
Aug 7, 2007 10:25 PM
Forget BevMo, not worth the drive. The San Rafael BevMo is a better bet than Santa Rosa. But, the Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa is so much better with prices about the same as K&L and Wine Club in SF.
Edited to add: just remembered one more, the Windsor Wine Shop in Windsor in Russian River Valley (Sonoma County). I haven't been in since the tasting bar started up, but I had been a fan in the previous location. Tony Marti is a very good wine merchant.
http://www.windsorwineshop.net/
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Vintner's Collective in Napa is nice also. Knowledgeable staff with a fairly unique selection with a tasting room.
http://www.vintnerscollective.com/ -
Sticking strictly to your mention of small and hard to find choices, I suggest Bounty Hunter, downtown Napa on 1st (am sure you already know about it.) Staff is friendly and un-stoned. Can't say they're generous with tastings though, so if that's a deal breaker perhaps they're not for you.
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I do like Calwine. Small store with a thoughtful selection of smaller producers.
http://www.calwine.com/ -
fyoulady
Aug 4, 2007 11:46 AM
Your best bet is the Wine Garage in Calistoga. Dean and Delucas prices are rediculous. I was shopping for bedding once in Cost Plus World Market and discovered their wine section which is outstanding in my opinion.
If you grow a wild hair and decide to venture West then there is the Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa off of Industrial Drive. That is probably my favorite but its about 45 minutes from Napa Valley.›1 Reply-
re: fyoulady
Melanie Wong
Aug 4, 2007 01:49 PM
Bottle Barn is well worth a trip from the Napa Valley, especially if in need of imports. Very good net price discounts.
http://www.bottlebarn.com/index.htmlIf you like Siduri or Copain, make an appointment for tasting while you're in this light industrial neighborhood of Santa Rosa.
Oh, and Bottle Barn has an annex in Healdsburg that offers tasting.
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Bottle Barn
3331 Industrial Dr, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
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Wine Garage in Calistoga for wines $25 and less.
Dean and DeLucca has California labels only including boutique wines at price marks no higher than else where. (Other day picked up a bottle of Peay Chard....) And I frankly am very big on Sunshine's inventory in St. Helena, also they seem to have awfully good retail pricing.
