Finding the good stuff
Ventura County’s best wine shops
By Michael Cervin 03/08/2007
It’s like the proverbial needle in the haystack. You had a Merlot at a party, you tried a Viognier at someone’s house during dinner, and now you want a bottle for yourself. Easier said than done. With over 1,400 wineries in the state of California alone, locating that memorable bottle can be daunting. Traditionally, chain stores only carry mass-produced wines, not limited release and boutique ones. So for knowledge, customer satisfaction, hard-to-find wines and that personal touch, visit these wine shops in Ventura County.
Paradise Wines
677 Main St.
Ventura
641-9440
For seven years, this family-owned business has specialized in “small family producers,” those wineries that are almost off the radar. It carries local, Santa Barbara and Paso Robles wines in addition to some imports and wines from the northwest, like Oregon and Washington. It has tastings on Fridays and Saturdays and even has its own wine club. “We really care about wine education,” co-owner Cheryl Harding said. It is also the sole distributor of a patented new wine glass, the Vino2, which allows full aeration of any wine.
Ventura Wine Company
4587 Telephone Road #103
Ventura
642-9449
Nick Fisher has been in the wine business for 23 years so he’s a man who can be trusted. For the last six years, he has operated his warehouse-like store on Telephone Road. He carries about 600 bottles and will special order. Though he carries a few imports, a “courtesy selection” he calls them, his emphasis is on California wines. He selects all his wines carefully. “I put value in every decision I make,” he says. So if your budget is $20, he’ll get the best $20 bottle he has.
Regal’s in Ojai
655 E. Ojai Ave.
Ojai
646-1700
Long known for being one of the best places to shop for wine in Ojai, Regal’s is currently under new management. Its official grand re-opening is slated for May. In the meantime, you can browse over 1,000 bottles of wine and beer and spirits. Regal’s has a strong local and California selection but equally important, it has imports and will soon offer tastings on a consistent basis. Can’t find that perfect wine? “We love finding stuff,” Joby, the manager, says. Regal’s offer a wine club and a beer club.
Wades Wines
30961 W. Agoura Rd. #321
Westlake Village
818-597-9463
With over 10,000 bottles to choose from, you’ll always find something that suits your palate. “We are the biggest carrier of small-production pinot noir and Syrah in the country,” Wade says. Wades thrives on the boutique wineries that make less than a 1,000 cases. It offers tastings on Fridays and Saturdays and routinely has the winemakers themselves on hand to discuss the wines. It has an online store as well as their brick and mortar store. Wade guides each customer towards wine that fits their style and encourages them to tell him how they liked it. After five years in business, they keep coming back.
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