California Wine Merchant

Recommends

kdavidson88

Joined 6 years ago

Best place to have fun while you're sipping on great wine. I just moved to this area and I love this place. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly. The music is great -- unlike the stuff they play at other wine bars. Plus, everytime I come, I meet someone new.

It's like my home away from home.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. This Marina wine bar pours hefty glasses of California varietals in unpretentious surroundings.

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raphaelc2

Joined 6 years ago

So-so..... I've been to this establishment twice. First time was on a weekday night, about a year ago, and I recall friendly staff, reasonable prices (great $4-$5 taste bargains on great wine), and a warm but subdued atmosphere -- all in all a great experience that I would give a 9-10 rating.

However, most recently I visited on a weekend afternoon and was really annoyed. The prices seem to have gone up, the quality of wines for the prices were not remarkable, the bartender guy acted like he didn't care to see us, and they decided to turn on music to compensate or the fact that no one was there. Annoying. I can't give this a below-average rating since I haven't been back for a weekend night. But the increase in prices is alone to knock it down a few points. Just above average....

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travelgirl4

Joined 7 years ago

Gone downhill. We used to frequent the Wine Merchant as least 2-3 times a week. It was always a great place for a quiet evening catching up with a friend or a lively night out meeting people, depending upon what night of the week you visited. The bar staff was knowledgeable and the wines exceptional. After a hiatus of a few months we went back recently and was a little disappointed in the experience. There seems to have been 100% turnover in the staff and the prices seem a little out of control. With so many other wine bars in the city I'm not sure when I'll be back.

Doesn't Recommend

lc1975

Joined 7 years ago

a horrific experience. The bartenders are worthless. They have zero personality. That in itself makes the experience unpleasant. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. In fact, I've told everyone that has asked me about this place how horrible it.

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artmaltman

Joined 8 years ago

I love this place. No fancy decor, not expensive, not pretentious. It's a very simple wine bar, with good prices and quite good selection of California wine. The owner and staff are friendly and they know their products well. You can buy a taste, a glass, or even a bottle or case of any wine you taste that you like. Crowd is smart, easy going, friendly. Frankly I have never in my life found a bar where it was so easy to talk to the people there (or NOT talk if I'm not in the mood). Greg meets you once and remembers your name. This place is a wonderful implementation of what it attempts to be. If you are seeking French wine, fancy decor, well there is a neat little fancy expensive wine bar just around the corner. Better wear your suit or sport coat to that one though!