Good wine selection and the cheese selection is very good. Â The trout spread is also nice.
The owner has her quirks, but I'm not there to talk to her.
All in all, I go for the wine selection, which is consistently good. Â Though she does change it up a little too often, but hey variety is the spice of life.
I like this place. Â Yes, Karen is a trip - but the wine selection is decent and the prices are almost a bargain compared to SF's wine prices. Â The corkage fee is somewhat confusing, so I bypass that by going on days that advertise no corkage fee. Â Karen and her staff have always been very accommodating. Â I am not a wine connoisseur(sp?), and I certainly cannot pair worth a darn - but they have always been very helpful.
Review Source:wow...words hardly do my evening justice at Alameda Wine Co...The owner Karen is a NUT. Â Unprofessional, rude, obnoxious, clearly intoxicated. Â The wine was expensive, but ok. Â small pours. Â avoid like the plague! Â There are plenty of other small businesses in Alameda that actually want customers.
Review Source:Im not afraid of small wine bars, but this place made me really uncomfortable. The owner I presume was nice in her own way, but I dont like to be coaxed into trying some wine then saying its the last bottle, so get it while I can. Â I think if the product is good to me, then it will sell itself. That made me feel really obligated since I got a free taste, I absolutley needed to buy that last bottle. Â
Everything seemed really pricey in terms of their flights and single glasses. Â A lot of their bottles owever were priced decently, A lot under $20. Â
Maybe I'll come back here and give it another shot with other people, not by myself. Â But in reality, my view of this place is kinda tainted. Â There are many places I love going to by myself because I felt welcomed as a person looking to relax and enjoy wine, not forced to purchase "last" bottles.
The wine was not good. I think it had been opened for a really long time. All of the wine was very sour, not acidic just plain sour. Reasonably priced however. Â Food...ok. Nothing fancy. A simple cheese plate. Ok enough. Â People.....whoa. When I ordered it was like I insulted the owner and she was just to busy and had no chef and was out of food although only one other couple was there. I saw someone go across the street to the mediterranean restaurant to buy food. It was SO disorganized and just not warm or friendly. More bizarre and odd. I do not want to know your personal issues when I order. It's not my restaurant. And it's not a place I will be going back to. They were closed recently I think they lost their license but somehow reopened.
Review Source:1. A cheese platter for two should not take 31 min to toss together when only two tables are full in the entire establishment
2. My "GLASS" of wine should not mirror the pours they offer at wineries; I think $12 should buy me at least TWO sips
3. The owner of the establishment should never be passed out on the floor behind the register--ever--though, 5pm on a Fri is really not cool. I'm still not sure if seeing her splayed out was worse than standing at the counter for my order and watching the staff simply walk over her to continue working. I'm sort of still on the fence here.
The finale to my review, however, can be found in the recent "newsletter" Karen, the owner, sent via email recently. Suffice it to say that I am ok "NOT" knowing she has to pay $3k to fix the front tooth she knocked out, that her recent abortion was traumatizing (and apparently puzzling since she was told years ago that she was sterile), or that she needs to apply for food stamps because she isn't sure where business will "go" this year after having been audited twice in the last two years.
The word "horrified" took on an entirely new meaning, as did the word "sad." Too bad that this is such an epic fail--being next to the theater on Park and opened from 4-midnight should ensure a steady clientele.
Bottom line: If you want wonderful wines poured cheaply for exorbitant prices by 'low rent' characters who refuse to acknowledge that the word "professional" does, in fact, exist...then this is your place. .
This is the only wine bar that I know of in Alameda. For convenience, I used to come here often with a gf or a date. I've visited by the Alameda Wine Co. probably about 10-12 times. It's right next to the movie theater, so perfect spot to grab a glass of wine before your movie or after dinner on Park St. I've had pretty good experiences here overall. The wine selection is decent and they have nice cheese plates to nosh on as well as some sweet treats. They also have beers to choose from.
I know that some of the yelp reviews have mentioned the eccentric owner, Karen. She's been sweet to me and my friends when we've gone. However, there was one incident when I saw her chase after a guy that left and yelled "Cheap A-hole!!" out in the street. Then she proceeded to rant about how he didn't leave a tip. We thought that was pretty entertaining and made sure we did well on the tip. In fairness, it is not the patron's obligation to give a tip. On the other hand, if it's Karen's shop she can do whatever she wants.....at the expense of not having return customers, right? Anyway, that was that.
They have seating inside at the bar, at the community table, by the window or outside in the small patio area. I usually preferred sitting outside on a nice day or evening. They don't have any heat lamps though, so go inside on a chilly night. The shop is neatly decorated and the waitresses are pretty knowledgeable about the wines. They always gave good recs. My one gripe is that the inside sometimes smells bad....like fermenting cheese or something. I think it's bc they keep a big open garbage can right behind the counter. That doesn't seem too appealing...
Love trying new wine and this is the place to do it! My husband and I have come here several times and never have been disappointed. I got a fabulous Syrah by Fifty Row and we ended up buying a bottle to enjoy at home. My husband got a really good Zinfandel but I forget who made it. We also ordered some of the truffles, amazing! We got a chocolate chocolate and a caramel one. When I asked where they got their truffles from, our waitress supplied me with the truffle makers business card. I like the idea that they support local businesses and do not hesitate to help others out.
The ambiance is very soothing here and I like the homey feel when you walk in, like everyone knows your name. Karen greeted some customers that had a dog with a fresh bowl of water and even some dog treats. Small gestures like this make a big impact and will help make a business like this last. Now I want to bring our dog next time!
The staff here went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Their knowledge about their products is apparent and they always took the time to answer our questions (no matter how silly they may seem).
Please keep up the excellent customer service and selection!
I wish this place existed when I lived in Alameda.
The charm of this place is that it's not your typical, trendy wine bar. It's low key, employed by friendly staff and they have a decent selection of wine and serve great cheese plates. The staff actually seem to be knowledgeable about the wine they serve and offer up suggestions if you need some help in deciding.
I'm sure I'll be back. It's been a great place to catch up and it's quiet enough to actually engage in your conversation.
I have to start by saying I'm not a wino. I never will be. It always tastes bitter and if I'm going to consume so many calories I might as well have a sundae or something. HOWEVER, we were in the mood for a little bubbly and decided to have a glass of Moscato.
The two girls who were manning the restaurant were friendly and very knowledgeable about their wines/cheeses. We ordered a Chris special and let them decide what kind of cheese/meat to give us since we don't exactly have the most sophisticated palettes.
Minus a couple stars because it was really pricey. This wasn't our first rodeo, we've been to other wine bars that were a lot less expensive.
This charming sleek little wine bar  is located at the historic Alameda Theater Complex, it has a pretension-free menu that serves a dozen or so largely satisfying noshes - the $6 dollar cheese plate that comes with  fresh fruit, nuts, and baguette is a great bargain.
Owner Karen Ulrich and her employees are very knowledgeable of the wine they pour. Most of the fresh and artisan foods you enjoy at this bar are from small, independent retailers and wholesalers of Alameda, the East Bay or just slightly beyond.
This stylish, relaxing, jazz-themed bar also has a couple of outdoor tables at the front patio where in if people watching is your thing - you will have a blast.
You can buy a bottle to take home or to enjoy at the bar for a corkage fee of $8. They have Wine Flights, 6 ounce glass or 3 ounce taste.
They also allow outside food from the following neighboring restaurants;
-BurgerMeister
-Cafe Central
-Kabob Central
-Troy
-Viva Mexico!
On Mondays & Tuesdays they offer free corkage.
This place is so cute!
Their wine flights are very reasonably priced and they have a great selection. I didn't order any food but next time I go back I will after seeing other parties ordering cheese plates.
The guy who works here is really nice and super casual which really ties in the whole atmosphere.
The woman who works here with him, however, is another story. I have one of those vertical diver licenses and just  turned 21 a month ago but it still plainly states the date of birth. The woman saw it was vertical and freaked out even though the guy already checked it. She repeatedly kept checking it as if thinking it would change before her eyes.
It's also really small, I mean tiny. So I wouldn't recommend going in a group of people, maybe only one or two friends.
I cant wait to go back to drink wine...and avoid her.
A cute little hangout tucked in between a lot of busyness on Central Ave. Great people watching spot! The place is small, but it has a local neighborhood feel to it that I liked. A convenient lot across the street makes for easy parking too.
There are a couple tables outside, a small bar and a few tables to hang around inside. There were seven of us, all dykes, and any place that treats us like regular ol' customers gets bonus points from me. I'm not sure if our server was the owner, but she was hella fine in her dark sunglasses and Union Jack shirt! She made the experience all the better in my book! In all seriousness, she was also helpful, attentive and friendly.
None of us did a wine flight and I would like to go back to do one. I love wine flights. We ordered a variety of whites, reds, rose and bubbles. Everyone seemed satisfied and happy with their selection. Some of us paid together, some separately and we didn't get any gruff about it.
I'm not sure it's a great date spot because of its size everyone would be on the date with you, but it's definitely a cool little spot I will go back and hang out with my friends.
Went on a tour through Alameda with some locals and ended up at this place. Too cute! It's very small but the owner, Karen, was very knowledgeable about wines and very friendly.
What I really liked about this place is that it was so unpretentious. The wines were good but it didn't feel frou frou. I didn't have food, just wine and some nuts and stuff. I'd definitely go back while visiting relatives in Oakland.
This place has taken a huge turn for the worse. Not sure what the new business plan is, but it's not working. Used to be big fans - not so much anymore. Service from anyone other than Karen is subpar, and the wine selection is weaker each and every time we walk by.
It's sad to see a place like this start so strong and ultimately turn into this. I hope she can turn it around.
Hi Bonnie,
I'm writing to let you know that we've removed your review update of Alameda Wine Co. Your review update was flagged by the Yelp community, and our Support team has determined that it falls outside our Content Guidelines (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/guidelines">http://www.yelp.com/guid…</a>) because it contains personal attacks.
We understand you may have had an exceptionally bad experience. While we welcome our reviewers to share their experiences and to be as descriptive as possible in those accounts, we ask that they avoid taking their grievances to a personal level.
Removed Update:
Read all your other reviews and find out how crazy the corkage fee is and also former customer's thoughts of Karen.You really should work on your customer service skills. I was one of your better customers when you first opened. How soon we forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RETAIL STORES THAT SERVE FOOD DO NOT CHARGE FOR CORKAGE FEE! YOU CHARGE FOR CORKAGE FEE WHEN SOMEONE BRINGS IN THEIR OWN BOTTLE. IF YOU ARE NOT MAKING ENOUGH ON YOU PRICEY BOTTLES OF WINE, THEN CHARGE MORE.....BUT STOP INSULTING PEOPLE WITH THE CORKAGE FEE CRAP. YOU WANT RESTAURANT HOURS, THEN ACT LIKE A RESTAURANT. FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO PAY YOUR RENT AND UTILITIES. Please see th email I received today at my home. Is this anyway to run a business!!!!!
Hi Bonnie,
Vilma F. has sent you a message on Yelp: The corkage has never been $4 "Fist off you are a rude bitch. The employee working at the time is 24 turning 25 and just because you are very old and can not understand the concept of a corkage fee because of your obvious lack of character does not mean you can write bold faced lies on yelp. Get a clue, get a life, and do not ever return because you will never be served. Sincerely, The Crew" To reply, click the link below: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/mail">http://www.yelp.com/mail</a>?
YELP,
BEFORE YOU REMOVE THIS AGAIN, PLEASE READ THE EMAIL THAT WAS WRITTEN TO ME AS IT IS POSTED. Â
I believe AWC should be reprimanded as well.
Thank you.
Bonnie
My girlfriend and I had a really tough week so before catching our flick, we stopped here to get some alcohol in our system. We figured this would be a good spot to start the day...
We walked in on a gorgeous Saturday after and there was a group of ladies drinking and sitting outside while a man was inside with the proprietor.
Being new... we didn't know the protocol. I looked at their menu and right away knew that this was going to be expensive... their wine selection was eh along with the prices.
Girlfriend opted to get a beer (beer girl she said and asked for a Guinness (not on brew but they have quite a few beers...) and I got a glass of a Pinot (forgot the winery it was from but knew it was $12 a glass!)
We sat outside and she poured the wine and brought the beer (which BTW was the wrong beer, it wasn't Guinness but my friend sucked it up and not complained...)
Overall, it was OK. The wine was eh... my friend's beer... eh. Total for the whole shindig... $20 plus tip.
I talked to proprietor briefly to inquire if she carries Cakebread and or Dr. Loosens ... nope but apparently I can get them from BevMo. NO... I can't b/c I tried. For all you Cakebread fanatics... they have limited releases of their Pinot!
Probably the first and last time ... weird policies and really expensive for their limited wines.
What have we here...a chance to get lost in the Dionysus' own den? Indeed!! I found myself entranced with the establishments libational integrity and surely was about to be taken away by the sweet Mediterranean breeze when...what's this?....no, surely not... yes...
THE KRAKEN HAS BEEN RELEASED!!
I know not which of my incantations brought her forth, but her fury was swift and dare I say inelegant. The proprietor of this establishment was surely bewitched by Hades himself if she thinks that a business can be run in such a manner!
As I fled in a panic, I did manage to catch a glimpse of her reflection in my shield. Needless to say I shall not be returning.
I say good day to you, madam.
The other reviews cracked me up. I completely hear what people are saying because the service is certainly unique. Unique and refreshing.
I love wine but I'm not a snob. I can't stand walking into a wine place and having someone stare at me like I'm a wine neophyte. What can I say? I like wine and wearing vintage t-shirts and jeans, not exactly your typical wine-o. I dig that you can enjoy multiple great wines (they have some amazing and cheap sparkling wines) and there's always someone in the store who's really knowledgeable. They don't look down on you and the owner and other staff have always been really cool. Keep in mind, I am a really polite customer and I never skimp on a tip. I heard the owner badmouth a guy who didn't tip one time, and frankly, I didn't blame her! Screw cheap skates who try to save a few bucks after getting good service.
I absolutely love the cheese plates. For the price, it's a bargain and you're sure to get some farmers market fresh produce based on what's in season.
Also, they were really nice to my friend's dog who was enjoying the patio with us and they gave her some water.
If you're a laid-back wine drinker who loves a little local flair, this is the place for you.
This had to be hands down the rudest most unprofessional b _ _ _ _  of an owner  that I have dealt with in a long time.  She was so rude and would not even take a minute to answer a question. I had stopped in to inquire about having a group come for wine tasting and she could have cared less.
The place was dead with maybe two customers she was at the bar making up a cheese tray and said she was busy and did not have time to answer questions. I turned around and left and would not ever step foot in this wine bar again or recommend it to anyone!!!! Too bad there is not a negative star to give them because I would.
Wine lovers, unite: this is your new favorite destination.
Go for the delicate flights of white wine (featuring some lovely chenin blanc, unoaked French chardonnay, and kick ass bubbles), and stay for the elegant, surprisingly well-priced flights of red (Bordeauxs, earthy Pinots from France and Oregon, big Italian vinos).
As you can tell, I am a fan.
On top of the great selection and healthy pours of well-priced wine, owner Karen is extremely knowledge, and full of suggestions of new wines you should try. Get the cheese and charcuterie plate---it's worth it---and ask Karen which locally sourced cheese would best accompany your wine. Or, go for the lovely smoked trout spread.
The best part about this place is that almost every wine is available to purchase by the bottle. Need I say anymore? Â Whether you're about to catch a flick, meet a friend, or just thirsty, Â this place is sublime.
Sometimes all you need is good wine and the company of friends. Â The day that i was upset and going stir crazy at home, turned out to be one great day of conversation and company. Â And it all happened right here at the Alameda Wine Co. Â Mark M., Greydon U. and Mary Ann G. came out to support my habit of drinking when times get rough. Â Thank goodness Mary Ann G. found this place. Â Situated next to the Alameda Theater, this wine bar can be easily missed if you attention is on the Theater right next door.
Walking win, its a nice comfortable classy feeling space.  Bottles of wine line the right wall, while a bar is situated on the left side of the room.  Not many people were here when we first arrived but we found that to be different later on that evening.  They offer wines by the glass or by the bottle and do charge a corkage fee for the bottle, which could end up becoming a little pricey.  However, the knowledge of the servers are unsurpassed.  They gave us fantastic recommendations  and even more fantastic recommendations on pairings of cheese and fruit.  Â
I also really enjoyed that there was sunlight streaming into the bar. Â Although the sun can be a little strong here, it was a bright cheerful place and that helps with the experience. Â They also have a patio area so no matter what, you can get some of that sunshine (weather permitting of course). Â
I'm glad I have friends that i can count on and a wine bar that's comfortable, classy and close by.
What a great way to end the weekend!
When a good friend called me one sunny sunday afternoon in desperation to get out of San Leandro, he said something about a wine bar. Wha? I've gone wine tasting, but this is the first I've heard of a wine bar. I started searching nearby places and came upon Alameda Wine Co.
A quick trip down the freeway and we're there. There's a parking garage right around the corner for easy parking (it's also parking for the movie theater). When we walked in we were greeted by Karen (the owner) and we sat at a free standing bar. The menus are on the tables for you to peruse, you can order by the glass, a flight, or a whole bottle (corkage fee is 7.50, but is included in the price of the bottle on the menu). They have a good selection of cheeses and snacks you can order also. Karen knows a thing or five about her wines, so she can definitely help pick out a good one.
Overall this place rocks! I really have no complaints here, but if you have a large group come earlier than 4pm on the weekend to get a seat, this place gets hoppin' at night!
Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there was a very lonely and sad, but hot, princess, searching for a knight in shining armor (ok, Nisan) to come along and steal her heart, give her goosebumps, and put up with her intense neuroses and bitchy nature.
At the same time, there was a handsome prince charming who happened to frequent a website which was frequented by the princess as well. As luck would have it, the prince met the princess by chance in an enchanted garden (Lucky 13), the princess gave him a magical love potion (Red Stripe), and the rest is history...
After a night of champagne and cavorting with friends (fellow yelpers) at a grand drinking hall (Harry's Bar) on a hill with breathtaking views (Pac Heights), the prince and the princess decided to be royal together (no- we waited til the 5th or 6th date) and kissing commenced and a formal date was made.
Ok. End fairy tale. It's still on, but the honeymoon's over :) Our first date was at Village Cafe in Alameda (don't ask why). Since that was the first place that we shared that first-time-alone discomfort and special drink-enough-to-make-some-bad-decisions time, we traverse the palace gates (bay bridge) and head over there for greasy italian memories.
You can imagine my despair when we got there last week to find it closed. CLOSED! I cried, stomped my feet, and pinched myself in hopes I would wake up from this nightmare. The prince (Matthew R) comforted me by taking me to this awesome wine shop/bar for cheeses and meats, olives and nuts, and an amazing bottle or two of a delicious Malbec from Mendoza (sounds like a circus act). The owner and the knowledgeable staff are outstanding, the vibe is completely laid back and unpretentious, and the prices are really great considering current economic climate.
The snacks and nibbles menu is expansive for a place that really does toe the line between a store and a bar. There's a little patio in the front or a long bar to sidle up to indoors. We were so happy (drunk), we almost forgot that our specialist place ever had (un)magically disappeared . Oh well...we still got Lucky 13. And I'm pretty much the luckiest princess ever. Because I got the prince. And now I've got Alameda wine bar- a new reason to leave SF every now and again.
The Alameda Wine Bar is a welcome addition to Alameda. Â On our honeymoon in Venice and Florence, my husband and I loved stopping in wine bars, having a glass and a snack. Â We are thrilled to be able to do this at home. Â The wines are not what you find elsewhere, and the staff is very good about pouring you a little taste before you select a glass. Â On one recent visit, we both wanted a glass of the same wine; they suggested we just buy the bottle and take home the extra since it was almost the same price as two glasses. Â Â I love that they offer snacks from local businesses including the Cheese store in the Marketplace. Â But my very favorite non-wine purchase is the truffles. Â MMMMM. Â They are so yummy and paired with the right drink, even better.
I have read the other reviews and I will agree that the owner is somewhat odd. Â I have not found her to be rude or discriminatory, and her behavior does not take away from our enjoyment of the wine, the food, the pleasure of being out without the kids! Â
And New Year's Eve - that was some party!
Just for the record, I always thought this place was " weird." What would appear to be a welcome addition to downtown Alameda is atually a trip into another dimension.
Don't know if they got hip to this and changed it, but they charge corkage on wine you order and drink there. Not your wine, but theirs. Doesn;t make any sense.
I happen to not care for the wines here. My gf explained that I don't have a sophisticated pallate. Probably so.
The final straw was the alameda journal cover a couple months ago. The owner felt " blue" since she couldnt shorten her work hours, so she shaved her head and painted her face blue, then took emo pics for the reporters. I should it to my other half and said " I can't support this."
A day later the guy who runs Fireside Lounge painted his face "red".
Alameda is so weird and awesome !!
A wine bar featuring reasonably priced quality wines. Â The quirky and slightly smashed owner was a thin woman who sported a shaved head and a skirt constructed with little more material than the dome. Â The decor was a bit too 80's electromagnetic for my taste but it beats the stuffy and pretentious air common to a majority of wine bars out there, Â All that is missing is a sex room in the back
stars for: quality, price, off-beat, inspiring thoughts of sex rooms
leave off one star for: sterile ambiance
Ok, yes, the owner is a bit eccentric. However I personally found her to be a friendly eccentric in a micro mini. HOT!
She also really knows her stuff. Double hot!
My husband and I walked in, looked bewildered and were cordially invited to imbibe and enjoy free meat plate...mmm meat plate. But I digress..
You can either enjoy 6 oz glass of wine for 6 something (on avg) or a 'tasting glass' of 3 oz for around 3 something (on avg.). We opted to get two tasting glasses each but were having a hard time choosing what we wanted. The owner just kept putting 'splashes' of this and that in front of us (separate glasses of course) and we drank a lot. A lot, a lot. And then a lot more. Too bad we had to drive or we'd have had even more! wine! yay!
We sat at the main counter and the owner graciously asked us to fill out a survey which we did, because, well, my husband likes to give his opinion on everything and why the hell not. We were drinking wine and hanging out!
All the while we enjoyed meat plates. Free, high quality meat plate. Of course next time we go back it probably wont be free because my understanding is that she is trying this meat out because the distributor is vying for her business. But I'd buy this meat next time anyway. It went nicely with the wine.
The space itself is on the small side and I couldn't tell if there was a restroom. There were around 3 counters that you could sit at. The counter behind us had two small groups at it and they were all chatting. Surprisingly enough the chatting didn't bother us. I would think in such a small space that the various conversations going on around you would be distracting however I'm happy to report that the acoustics handle nicely in here and nearby conversations are hardly noticeable. There is also an outdoor patio which is nice on a warm evening.
The wine selection is pretty decent. And it has reasonably priced wines too. Yes, there were expensive bottles and for me because I don't like spending money on things that get ingested anything over 20 falls into that category. But there was an ample selection of great wines in the 10-15 dollar range.
In the end we purchased 4 tasting glasses and a bottle of wine. I'll definitely go back as it was a great place for a date night away from the 3 year old.
This place is a great concept--reasonably priced wine, generous snacks, and great location in the heart of Alameda.
The wine was fine, the snacks were fine, but the staff was horrendous (particularly the owner!). She was rude and confrontational--and I'm totally meek! I was drinking my wine and enjoying some time with a friend when she came over and started berating me. Â I was really put off by how she treated me, and simply will NOT return to give this place my hard earned money.
There is no need to treat your customers crappy! We're paying you!
I just reread my review and realized that my "cheap wine" comment may be deceiving.... what I meant to say is the following:
Alameda Wine Co. has fantastic wine, champagne and snacks that are EXTREMELY REASONABLE.
I love this place, when my parents were visiting we took them for wine and snacks in lieu of a late lunch. They loved it - besides the wine and food they thought the decor was fantastic. I must admit I admire and wish I could have such a neat light display in my home... maybe one day.
The staff is very helpful and provides their expertise and recommendations whenever we need it.
The food menu also makes me feel very refined... I love all the different cheeses and they've got my favorite olive spread.
Thank you Alameda Wine Co.!!
I've read some of the reviews of this place and have tried this place a couple of times. Â
First, I will say that the owner is a bit sassy, and by her own description, "mouthy", however, I think this is part of the charm of the place. Â While she will relay little bits of her saga with getting her establishment up and running, she is also giving colorful recommendations for what kinds of wines she's pouring that week, giving you small tastes before you commit to a whole 3 or 6 oz pour. Â And again, I think the colorful conversation is part of the whole charm. Â
I have gone in a few times for a bit of a late lunch with the bar snacks she offers, including a couple of DELIGHTFUL choices from J.P Seafood, as well as different charcuteries (depending on what's available at the Saturday Farmers' Market) and cheeses. Â Each time I have gone, I have walked out of there full and tipsy.
Then there's the wine list - which is wonderfully progressive and affordable. Â I love that the Wine Co. offers 3 oz glasses so that you can construct your own wine flight. Â I like finding new finds and walking out with a few bottles that don't break my budget. Â (If you don't take into account that after I've "tasted" 4 wines, of COURSE I need to buy 7 bottles instead of just the one.)
But definitely a wonderful way to spend a Thursday afternoon - lunching and sipping and forgetting about all the work I'm putting off for the day.
I liked the wine list and the prices are low. Â We had a really enjoyable Friday night here, sitting outside on a warm night, drinking wine, and watching people walk by.
I definitely see what other Yelp users say about the customer service, but luckily we didn't engage the proprietress or the waiter very much so we didn't get all the negativity. Â
The wines are decently priced and come as both tastes and full glasses. Â The weirdest thing is that, if you want a bottle, you have to add on $5 for a corkage fee. Â Now, I understand why they do this as they also sell wine at a retail price, and I understand that the bottle should cost more when you order it at a bar or restaurant, but the way they have it set up is totally weird. Â Why not just have the regular bottle prices and then a big sign that says "All wines $5 off for retail purchases" instead of having to add $5? Â That way, it feels like you're almost getting the wine at a discount if you buy a retail bottle or two to take home instead of paying a penalty for ordering a bottle.
Still, it was an enjoyable evening and the wines were good, interesting, and presented well. Â I liked their glassware and the modern look of the bar. Â I'll be back for after dinner drinks in Alameda for sure.
To fully understand my joy, I need you to close your eyes and imagine a certain brown-haired transplanted wine geek standing outside the Alameda Wine Co clapping her hands and
            up
Jumping    and
            down
in complete and utter happiness.
I really needed a wine bar in Alameda (a certain pirate claims we manifested this place through sheer wish fulfillment), but more than that - I needed *this* wine bar in Alameda. Â The wine list is small but incredibly affordable. Â The cheese plate is generous and loaded with goodies to complement the cheese options. Â The retail bottle selection contains a few favorites and several with whom I hope to become closely acquainted very, very soon. Â The space is small inside, but the outdoor patio area promises good times on warm summer nights. Â It's a fabulous fit for friendly, low key Alameda.
My one concern is that the owner (low key and friendly too) has a tiger by the tail and may become overwhelmed. Â Every time I've been here the place is full, the owner is running around managing it all herself - and I wait a looooong time. Â One of the charms of going to a small wine bar is having an interaction with the person who picked the list. Â A couple of times, I've had the beginnings of great conversations with this owner about the wine - she clearly opened this place as a labor of love and has a lot to say - but every time she's pulled away by the demands of her success. Â I hope she gets some assistance so she can use her time building rapport with her eager clientele.
I think this might be another time I accidentallyonpurpose manifested a wine bar. Â Suzanne B and I were wishing HARD for a wine bar in Alameda, and then poof! Â There it was. Â Niiiiiiiiice.
The owner is very kind and offers local artisan snacks and an interesting variety of reasonably priced wines by taste, half glass, full glass, or bottle. We got to try a lot of new wines without breaking the bank. Â The cheese plate was a whole meal! Â And the banana chutney was amazing.
I'm not a big fan of jazz, but it worked to create a good vibe and didn't annoy me. Â I want to go here every night!
Being just around the corner from this place, the b/f and I decided to venture out on opening night. While service was a tad slow, we didn't let it phase us considering there were quite a few friends there to lend their good wishes. The b/f and I tried 5 different wines, with the Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha '06 stealing the show (enough that we took home the bottle for all of $9.50 ) and the Licoco Indico '06 blend of Carignane and Petite Sirah coming in a close second. The prices are ridiculously low (for tastes, glasses or bottles) and the cheese plate we had was far and away more generous than one from any other wine bar I've been to. Owner Karen was quite nice, taking time out of her busy evening and a few problems to chat with us and give us a complimentary taste of a digestif that was surprisingly good. Â
There are four tables outside (I know where I'm going on the next hot evening) and two bars indoors plus four seats next to the window. All the food comes from local (if not solely Alameda) purveyors and the jazz music provided nice ambiance. Â We'll definitely be back!
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