Beer, Wine & Spirits in San Jose

Though one could also call it a store, The Wine Club’s name speaks to its staff members’ passion for fine wines. Their passion and commitment to quality spirits at fair prices fostered the growth of the first singular club in 1985 into a trio of neighborhood wine and spirits stores by 1996. Shelves and display cases at each store are crowded by varietals from all over the world. During Friday happy hours and informal Saturday afternoon tastings, guests gather to discuss flavor profiles with fellow tasters, certified sommeliers, or vacationing extraterrestrials. The store also curates a variety of wine clubs for customers hoping to expand their palates.

In renovating the new location of California Wine Merchant, owner Greg O’Flynn and wife Deborah worked hard to draw inspiration from the original location, with its floor-to-ceiling redwood wine racks built by Greg and its focus on California wine. Every wine goes through blind tasting by Greg and his knowledgeable staff, who employ sharp palates to evaluate the wine's aroma, acidity, and stock options. The store's vast inventory highlights Cali labels and incorporates a handful of imports and cult favorites such as Screaming Eagle and Opus One. Open seven nights a week, a full wine bar offers a menu of 35–50 wine varieties by the glass with cheese plates to pair, plus a few craft beers. Above the cozy bar, artful hanging lights of twisted metal resemble grapevines, and large portraits of grapes pay homage to the many fruits martyred in the grape stomp.