I soft-opened the store this weekend, and will be here for more regular hours leading into Labor Day weekend. The shop has gotten some early press from the LA Weekly food blog “Squid Ink,” and despite the lack of signage on the building, there has been a nice flow of traffic through the doors.  Come in and say hi, and do some wine shopping while you’re at it!

Or, you can shop online still, where I’ve put together a couple of special cases in honor of the grand opening: a collector’s case that includes, among others, the highly sought after Didier Dagueneau Silex (2006) as well as a bonus bottle of 2004 Two Hands Ares Shiraz for just a buck (The Ares is a $165 value), as well as a drinker’s dozen that includes the fantastic Trajarinho Vinho Verde, the Mas Malbec, an under $10 gem of a Bordeaux and others for $105 total, or 15% off the normal $124 case price.

I look forward to seeing you all soon, both in person and on the website, which I promise will be getting lots more attention in the near future.

Cheers!

Jill

Way back when I posted a conceptual drawing of the store showing some pendant lampshades, as well as a reflected ceiling plan. Finally, the concept has been turned into reality, with the 48 custom light fixtures having been installed. Here are a few photos capturing the installation process and the finished product, along with a shot of Fabien (and his very small crew!) who did an amazing job as the electrician on the project. Of course, major props also go to Della Valle & Bernheimer Design.

In case you’re wondering what the black stripe is in the background, it’s an 18 inch strip of blackboard paint that’s been painted above the wine racks, so that I can flexibly label (and relabel) items as they make their way onto the shelves. There’s also magnetic primer painted underneath so I can post papers and whatnot (shelftalkers? Unlikely…) up there.

Pretty soon I hope to have wine on the shelves, but the timing of that is resting in the hands of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Just a couple of images for the now…

Some of the single-depth racks, assembled (thanks again to Tim Krablin of Modern Cellar for the photo)…

And the interior of one of the lampshades, of which there will be 48, in three different shades of blue-ish purple. Keep in mind this is 36″ in diameter — as in three feet (the exterior is aluminum, non-powdercoated. I’ll let your imagination do the work).

Maybe one day I’ll post about the wines I’ve been tasting and stocking, and actually try to sell you something…which would possibly help me pay for all these neat things…ummmm, maybe next week…

Thanks to Tim Krablin of Modern Cellar for the linked album, showing the beginnings of the wine rack construction for the shop. Here’s a sneak peek photo attached: