Ryan ChartrandAs I entered the door I was greeted by an oversized deli case filled with an extraordinary amount of cheese. I turned around and found wine glasses to my left and an abundance of wine cases neatly stacked throughout the store.
As I continued in, I approached a stylish wine bar where I had my pick of a plethora of wines. Heaven one might say – nay, Monterey Street … Monterey Street Wine Co. to be more precise.
Upon speaking to co-owner John Stipicevich, I was able to find that the shop offers such luxuries as wine by the glass selections at the bar, daily wine tastings, extravagant wine and cheese pairing events and an abundance of wine both international and local.
The Monterey Street Wine Co. opened its doors June 17, 2006. John informed me that this store fills a particular niche in San Luis Obispo as a fromagerie and wine shop. The boutique wine shop also sells gift baskets that include cheese, crackers and wine accessories.
The store has a vast selection of wine, tipping the scale at about two hundred. The majority of wines are local. There are many international wines available as well. And the best part: all wines are sectioned off by price range, so it is easy to come in and grab accordingly. The shop includes some international gems not found in local grocery stores, Costco or even Cost Plus. In fact, the emphasis is primarily on value and selection.
The cheese selection was spectacular. It reminded me of my brief time in Paris, where at the grocery store, I found upwards of 40 to 50 types in the cheese aisle. In fact, France has more kinds of cheese than there are calendar days, though I digress.
The Monterey Street Wine Co.’s selection is similar. The case has French cheeses that include more than your typical Brie; in fact, it has 10 French cheeses.
Among the highlights, an Italian cheese washed with Barbera including a nice wine rind (say that 10 times fast). The shop even carries three-year-old Gouda!
The wine shop offers elegant wine and cheese parings every Friday from 5 to 8pm. The price is $10 and includes six tastings along -side appropriate cheeses.
This Friday, the winery Ursa comes to share wines including Petite Sirah, Merlot and Syrah. The wineries are a plus, but also focuses on perticular wine regions, and varietal differences.
For example, last Friday, I shared in sampling some of their wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon blends. In addition to wine events, they also sponsor local breweries on the 1 and 3 Thursday of every month. On April 3, Brian Thompson, from Telegraph Brewing Co., will sample out this local Santa Barbara brewed beer.
Wine club membership is available at the Monterey Street Wine Co. in three levels, depending on particular price points. These wines ship out every other month. Wine club membership entitles members to additional discounts on other wines purchased with those orders.
Other incentives include discounts on purchases of 12 or more bottles. The Monterey Street Wine Co. is located on 1255 Monterey St. and online at www.montereystreetwines.com.
As a correction to my last column, I do wish to cite both www.theorganicwinecompany.com and www.winebusiness.com for my acreage data of organic wine grapes grown. Eventhough journalistic integrity is quite important, wine drinking remains to be of the utmost importance. Cheers!
Lauren Jeter is a 2005 wine and viticulture graduate and is pursuing a master’s degree in agribusiness.
Feel free to submit any recommendations, favorite wines or recipes to laurenjeter@gmail.com.