San Diego Wine Company

With only 24 hours in San Diego on this trip, and business in Otay Mesa, San Marcos and downtown, plus eating, sleeping and airport arrival time, that left me only about a half an hour to find a case of value-oriented wines. A little upfront web research revealed the place to stop, right along my route from San Marcos back to the harbor area.  San Diego Wine Company was the place.

I emailed Matt Francke (pictured below), the new owner as of a year ago, and he assured me there would be no problem choosing a mixed case in a hurry and getting them packed in a shipping box ready for checking as baggage. Less than a week prior to Christmas, amid the crowd, Matt and the staff accommodated my requests cheerfully, right down to my fussy need to have bottles whose seams did not run through the labels (seams can mess up a label picture).

This is the type of wine shop I look for, the perfect place for a Winewaves "random walk".  There are no wine racks, only case stackers and wooden boxes overflowing with the best values in the market today.  There is nothing expected; and according to Matt, the selection is ever changing.  Do not expect to walk in and pick up the standard fare, but do expect to get a deal on some wines you need to know about.  It is rare that a guy my age feels like a kid in a candy store but I did.

The San Diego Wine Company is a no-nonsense retail outlet located in a warehouse park on Eastgate Mall, 15 minutes north of the San Diego downtown waterfront.  Matt Francke worked for seven years as Assistant Manager before seizing the opportunity to purchase the store from the previous owner and he has not missed a step in the transition.  There are no frills, just fun.  There are no bar code scanners or sophisticated inventory management systems, because it's all in Matt's head.  Together with his staff of Mark, Daniel and Shane, they taste every wine before it gets in the back door and onto the floor.  They take the concept of QPR (quality-price-ratio) to a new level.  With a relatively small (approximately 5,000+ square foot) space, long and narrow, only wines with the potential for turning in a heartbeat make the cut.  That means buying in volume at the best price, with no promises about future buys, and pricing their finds with a razor thin margin.  You could drink very well and never spend more than $10 a bottle here.

Case in point: The very excellent Avalon Napa Cab that Winewaves just reviewed cost nearly a third less here than the best price I found in Nashville.  Similar deals abounded.  What's more, the staff's tasting notes are posted all around, and every member of the staff knows every wine and can quickly steer you in the right direction for your tastes.

The selection is slanted towards California reds, but there are plenty of eclectic selections from other parts of the world, including Bordeaux (they offer great deals on 2005 futures as well), sparkling wines and Champagne, white wines (especially Chardonnay), and wines from Spain, Australia, Chile and more.

I am thinking about using a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards coupon and Priority Club rewards night for a return trip to San Diego, just to buy more wine here.  Who would have guessed this store would turn out to be one of the best attractions in the area.

My case came to $162.23, including the $8 Styrofoam shipping container and sales tax.  All the wines ranged from $4.99 to $16.95 except the one bottle I had to have, the Orin Swift "Prisoner" 2005.  This bottle has been on my shopping list ever since I had a glass of the '04 at the Rutherford Grill in Napa Valley last year, and I was happy to get it for $29.95.

Here's what made it home to Nashville, all of them reds: Poppy Monterey Pinot Noir 2005 ($10), Abundance Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2003 ($10), Fuentespina Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2003 ($5), La Planta Ribera del Duero Tempranillo 2005 ($10), St. George Sonoma Cab 2004 ($7), Tobin James Notorious Paso Cab 2004 ($14), Semler Malibu Cab 2003 ($17), Orin Swift Napa The Prisoner ($30), Kings Ridge Oregon Pinot Noir 2004 ($13), Mas Neuf Costieres de Nimes Red 2004 ($8), Ch. Anglade-Bellevue Cotes de Blaye 2000 ($10), and Huntington California Petite Sirah 2005 ($9).

I asked Matt if anybody is ever disappointed by the SDWC's shopping environment.  "If you're looking for the antithesis of us, if you need to see expensive store fixtures and predictable labels, this isn't going to be your kind of store."  Something tells me Matt really enjoys his job. Thanks for the hospitality.

Comments

[Dr. Debs]

Jerry--thanks so much for this post. I need a good excuse to get in the car and drive to San Diego over the holidays and you've just given it to me! Sounds like grape juice heaven. Great price on The Prisoner. That's on my list, too. Think I'll empty out the trunk and hit the freeways next week!

[jerry]

You won't be disappointed! Thanks for the comment. I can't wait to get into the Prisoner.

[roy horne]

My spouse & I visit San Diego in 3 wks. SDWC is now at the top of our "to visit" list. Thanks for the very fine & descriptive writing.

Roy Horne

[Bob Foss]

I've been shopping here since it opened. Great, eclectic selection and terrific prices. Now that I'm on the East Coast, it's a visit is still a must when I'm in San Diego.

[Judite Dietz]

I would like to know what kind of red wine from USA, preference Pinot Noir e the prices. You have home delivery to San Diego ?
Thanks a lot.

Judite Dietz
from Brazil

[Dennis Coffee]

I too have been shopping here since the store opened. I have never seen a better over-all choice that provides the best value-to-taste. I come in several times a month and will coninue to do so.

[Dick Scearcy]

One of my sons and I visited the shop to buy wine for a 40th birthday gift for our other son. We picked up a case of what I feel were really great wines at terrific prices. Each of us also picked up some wines of our own. I just ordered a case of a really nice Cab at a price not to walk away from. We live 5 hours away from San Diego, but this will be on our visit list on future trips to see the grandkids.

[mario]

The greatest wine store in San Diego!!!! Great selection, good staff, and good prices.

[Rick B.]

As a local I have been a customer since SDW opened, and continue to be delighted by your high quality/low prices. No matter that I have not hear of many brands offered, they are all exceptional values. The $10 bottle of good wine is alive and well at SDW.
Cheers,
Rick

[John]

This place is great. All the wines have been tasted and approved by the buyers. They must have a descrimating palatte as I am always pleased with my selection.
Thanks
John

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[Wolfgang Reile]

My first Impression will be my last Impression. I was on Febr. 28 in the shop with my family. I get 3 small samples for a redwine the bootle 9.95 but I paid I left the store 10.00 $ per person to try a mini sample ? I think this robbery - the best wines the lowest Prices.
ROBBERY Gratulation