Vintner’s Cellar

After 20 years in education, Carol Malcolm decided it was time to have a business of her own.  With the help of her husband, Jim, she searched on line and came across a franchise wine business that seemed to fit the bill.  Following months of due diligence,  the couple determined it was a concept that would fly in Santa Clarita and opened their very own Vintner’s Cellar on Lyons Avenue in early October.

With on-premise winemaking capability, Vintner’s Cellar is unique among wine shops in Santa Clarita.  In addition to a wide selection of wines to taste, wines by the bottle and glass, Vintner’s Cellar is a custom winery that offers customers the opportunity to actually make their own wine and even create personalized labels for the bottles.   

Jim explained, “The concept began in Canada and is growing rapidly in the US.  You purchase the juice and make the wine in our back room.  It takes about six weeks from start to bottling. We have 17 varietals to choose from, mostly from California grapes.”  
Carol added, “It’s not only fun, but the wine is really good.”

The couple grew up in Southern California.  Carol even admits to being “a Valley girl” having attended Van Nuys High School and living in San Fernando Valley until she and Jim moved here in 1993 to raise their children.   “What a great decision that was,” the couple agreed.  Jim and Carol have three children, two boys and a girl.  

A community-minded couple, Jim and Carol believe in giving back.  The Malcolms support numerous non-profit events during the year including Vine 2 Wine, Taste of the Town and many school functions.  Joining other Santa Clarita vintners, they recently showcased several of their products in the Assistance League’s “Sunset in the Vineyard”.

For more information, visit www.vintnerscellar.com

Photo By Kathy Cleversley

Lee’s Wine Bistro

Yoon Lee was born in Korea.  He immigrated to the United States in 1972 and worked in a liquor store along side his Uncle until he moved to Santa Clarita in the early 80s.  During that time, Lee developed a love of the business and in 1988, he opened International Wines and Liquors on Lyons Avenue.  From this location, Lee built up quite a following among local oenophiles.

Now, twenty years later, Lee is enjoying the fact that children of the customers from his early days are coming in to learn about wine.  “It’s nice that they are carrying on a genuine interest in wine.”

Lee’s love of wine took him from International Liquors to another well-known wine shop in 2004 where, as a managing partner, he helped to open the facility, but Lee wished to own his own shop and in August of 2008, he opened Lee’s Wine Bistro on Town Center Drive.

“I love drinking wine, it creates conversation.”  Lee smiles, “you can even talk about religion or politics over a nice glass of wine.  Even with the same vintage, the same vineyard, there can still be subtle differences.  The variances are endless.”

This may surprise you, but Lee even “blends” wines for customers who have chosen a wine that doesn’t exactly suit their palettes.  “If it’s too dry, I’ll add a little sweeter wine – if it’s too sweet, I’ll add a little drier wine.”  Lee went on to explain, “why throw out an entire bottle of wine when just a little “blending” can solve the problem.”  I mentioned that wine aficionados might find that a bit jarring, but he smiled, “drinking wine is about enjoying wine. If it’s not being judged, there are no rules to break.”

For more information, call 661-259-7754

The Loose Goose Wine Cellar

Truth be told: wine is in Peter Goossens’ blood.  All things Loose Goose are inspired by his passion and approach to wine.  In October, his namesake Wine Festival welcomed some 9,000 wine lovers, securing its position as Southern California’s largest wine encounter.  “It’s not about being the largest,” cautions Peter, “it’s about providing an extraordinary experience.”  A personal and retail wine purveyor, The Loose Goose provides wine tasting services, selection consulting, elegant wine baskets and corporate gifts. Their Wine Society offers members privileges at restaurants, wineries and wine events as well as access to the Loose Goose private wine cellar. The Cellar, which includes two exquisitely furnished tasting rooms, is a cornerstone of Old Town Newhall.

The youngest of six sons, Peter considers himself the beneficiary of the talents and passions of those who raised him. Dad, Herwig, was a respected artist, award-winning pastry chef and master chocolatier.  Mom Terry’s daily cooking was of Michelin-star quality.  Early wine education came from his grandfather, Aime, a successful industrialist, who held one of the largest private wine collections on mainland Europe. “My family took pride and pleasure in their crafts; they were engaging, approachable and authentic; never overbearing or intimidating.”  Great qualities in people…and in wine!   

Peter designed the wine cellar to resemble his grandfather’s…soft lighting, rich dark woods, warm colors.  Bottles carry hand written tags describing their contents; the most prized selections are kept behind glass.  Visitors are treated as guests rather than customers.

“In my family,” says Peter, “we think of wine as ‘fermented grape juice plus romance.’  The wine business just feels right to me.  It’s more than a professional calling…it’s a calling home.”

For more information, visit www.loosegoosewinefestival.com

Photo By Grins 2 Go – Event & Portrait Photography

Photo By Kathy Cleversley

Vino 100

In the two years since its opening, Vino 100 Valencia has become the most talked about specialty wine boutique in Santa Clarita. The reason? A superb collection of affordable, hand-selected artisan wines from around the world.

From Napa Valley comes a lush Old Vine Cuvee. From Argentina a vibrant  Malbec blend. And from France, a delicate Vouvray. These and dozens of other special wines are always available at Vino 100, which was recently voted Best Wine Selection in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Daily News, as well as Best Wine Selection and Education in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Proprietors Lil Lepore and Shari Frazier have a passion for wine and a love for sharing it. They knew they had something special to offer when they were named the 2008 Entrepreneurs of the Year by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

“Santa Clarita has welcomed us with open arms and we are passionate about community involvement,” offered Shari.  “We participate in numerous non-profit events during the year.  It’s part of what has helped us grow.”

Vino 100 offers daily tastings, weekly specials and monthly events that give customers the opportunity to learn about wines and purchase them at affordable prices. Customers can relax in this warm, inviting store where choosing wine is as enjoyable as drinking it. Vino 100 wines are arranged according to whether they are light or full-bodied, fruity or dry. Wine is always available for tasting or savoring with a small plate of cheese and fruit.

Regular customers can take advantage of the Vino 100 Black Bag Wine Club, which lets the customer choose the monthly selection and attend monthly tasting events.

At Vino 100, Lil and Shari’s personal motto is:  “Every wine has a story, let us share it with you.”

 For more information, please visit www.vino100valencia.com

 All Corked Up

In December 2004, David, along with members of the Schutz family, introduced All Corked Up to Santa Clarita.  Creating this old-world Tuscan atmosphere combined with unique wine storage, retail and wine education; a tasting room and the perfect gathering place for friends was a family dream.  And no doubt about it, David Schutz and All Corked Up are making their mark on Santa Clarita Valley.

Canadian born, David moved to California in 1970.  He and his family have been involved with the community of Santa Clarita since 1980.  David remains involved in other family owned businesses but has taken over the daily operation of All Corked Up.  He loves ACU because, “it combines fine wines, food, family and friends – everything you need to have a good time.”

Opening the retail business in an industrial location seemed to some like an “iffy” proposition, but the requirements of combining a restaurant/wine bar, wine storage and retail under one roof made the large industrial building a perfect choice.  Since opening, All Corked Up has greatly expanded and turned its original tapas-style menu into a full service restaurant including nightly dinner specials.  Last year it also opened its full-service warehouse to the public.

The warehouse features over 2,000 labels from $10 to $1,000 a bottle.   David is proud of the selection, the service and the knowledge of the staff.  “It’s like having a personal sommelier when you come here.”
So many people believe that they have to pay a lot of money for a good bottle of wine.  “What I love most about this business is seeing people discover affordable wines they really love and they don’t necessarily have to pay a fortune for it.”

David explained the success of All Corked Up is based on
“education, selection, value and fun.”

For more information, visit www.allcorkedup.com

Photo By Gary Choppé

Photo By Gary Choppé 

Valencia Wine Co.

Guy Lelarge, owner of Valencia Wine Company hails from Montreal and has been in the business of wine for more than 30 years having owned a winery, been a wholesale distributor and importer and owning a retail wine store.  

Guy just celebrated the sixth anniversary of Valencia Wine Company and is extremely proud of being the first full-service retail wine shop in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Although Guy has lived in Santa Clarita for 15 years, it was seven years ago that he decided that Santa Clarita residents deserved a place where they could go, learn about wine, buy wine, enjoy wine and the company of their friends.  Out of this decision was born the Valencia Wine Company in Town Center.

Guy believes that one of the primary keys to his success at this mid-town Valencia wine store is education.  The shop has a wine club and stages a variety of wine tasting classes and a series of wine dinners at TPC.  They do seven or eight dinners a year.  

“We have grown in leaps and bounds as customers have discovered all there is to learn about the store.  We offer music – jazz, blues, easy rock – on Friday and Saturday evenings starting around 8:30 p.m. and our in-store wine bar offers a rotating menu of about 20 wines by the glass.”  Guy went on, “we also pour two flights – one white, one red – with the selections changing on a regular basis.”

A wide selection of appetizers is available to enjoy with your wine selection.  

“I bring wines in from all over the world,” says Guy, “you have to take people there.”

Guy Lelarge is delivering on his mission of bringing a world-class wine shop to Santa Clarita Valley.

For more information, visit www.valenciawinecompany.com