Paul S.
Yelp
Now here's a great wine shop! Assuming, of course, if you can figure out where to park. Strangely juxtaposed by the 405 it's a two-story building with parking up top via a steep ramp. The cashier later pointed out a fenced parking lot across the street so duly noted. Take the stairs down and you're there!
I like it when a shop has the finer accessories such as crystal glassware and decanters and related things to enhance the enjoyment of wine, port and cordials. These items seem a bit cramped in the front but I quickly forgot about that when I steered myself into the surprisingly vast retail space.
I never made it to the domestic wine side of the store, it was so enthralling looking at familiar and new wines and labels in the Italian and French sections alone! Prices here are $1-7 more (or more) per bottle than, say, Hi-Time Cellars in Costa Mesa but that's 50 miles south of here so that time and money thing negates penny pinching.
What did I find? Recently, at an Italian restaurant in Riverside I had a spectacular Sicilian wine by the glass (Gulfi) and went in search for a couple of bottles. So well represented here in Gulfi varieties that I initially grabbed two of the wrong one. I doubt that it's unequal of course but I wanted what I had and found it around the corner. That's the thing here, each alcove is cluttered with boxes so be prepared to spend time browsing unless you're impatient or in a big hurry. I asked one guy for directions at one point but the thrill of discovery meant wrong turns were educational. Like when I discovered the impressive tasting section- definitely going to charge up a card next time! My pictures only tell part of the story but this shop is pretty cool!
I walked out after spending $165 on five great wines, including two Brunello di Montalcino bottles for gifts. Yep, drinking wine is expensive but so worth it when paired with appropriate food. Speaking of which, they have a munchies section that includes cheeses, charcuterie and crackers as well as tuna packed in olive oil. I'll be back again sometime soon to explore and sample. I was excited to see at least five different wines by Gulfi alone. Bargains are abundant here too so don't think this review celebrates elitism or snobbery.