San Diego wine enthusiasts have another reason to head to Little Italy this fall: San Diego Cellars, the fully operational urban winery, tasting room and kitchen, is set to officially open to the public on Saturday, November 9th at 2215 Kettner Blvd. in Little Italy. The recently opened urban facility, encompassing a tasting room and kitchen, wine preparation area and outdoor garden patio, is currently open Tuesday through Sunday at 3pm.
As the first and only urban winery in the Downtown/Little Italy area, San Diego Cellars is also the first in the area to serve wine on tap and to offer one liter refillable bottles ("CRUzers"). Initial wine varietals (bottles and on tap) at the new venue include three Syrahs, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Old Vine Zinfandel, Viognier, and a Viognier/Chardonnay Blend. The winery sources grapes from several vineyards throughout California including locally grown San Diego County grapes.
"San Diego has such a strong craft beer following and we wanted to be part of a movement to make craft wine just as accessible," said Todd Hipper, owner of San Diego Cellars. "By applying similar concepts used in major breweries to our winery, such as having rotating wines on tap, preparing the wine on-site, and implementing a refillable bottle program, we're looking to instill a growing passion in San Diego's wine scene."
Winemaker Todd Hipper began making wine as a hobby with friends after moving back home to San Diego in the mid 2000s; however, the hobby quickly blossomed into much more when he began producing several hundred cases of wine a year starting in 2008. An attorney by trade, Hipper has a passion for winemaking and travelling around San Diego County and California sourcing great vineyards and fruit to bring back to the winery. Hipper's personal project, Hipper Family Winery, allows creative freedom when making his wines, whether it's searching out old Zinfandel vineyards or experimenting with new varietals and off beat wine regions.
Wines are available for tasting and consumption on site, as well as for retail purchase by the bottle, case, or CRUzer to take home. San Diego Cellars also offers a selection of local craft beers and wines by the glass and a menu of small plates, including artisan cheeses and charcuterie, bruschetta dishes and fresh salads.
Patrons are welcome to sign up, at no cost, for the Spiller Wine Club, which provides a number of benefits, including discounts on wine and merchandise, complimentary tastings, access to pre-sale wines, and quarterly wine club pick up parties.
San Diego Cellars expects to increase production to approximately 2,000 cases of wine per year. All wines are made and aged on the winery premise from grapes sourced from San Diego County and other select premium wine appellations throughout California.
"We've always wanted to bring our wines to an actual setting where they could be savored and enjoyed," said Hipper. "This unique urban space, tucked within Little Italy's design district, was an instant draw and ideal fit for us."
San Diego Cellars will host live entertainment, private parties for wine club members and offers a unique event venue available to rent for special occasions.
San Diego Cellars is open at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and closes at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 8 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information, visit www.SDCellars.com or call the winery at 619-269-9463.
About San Diego Cellars:
San Diego Cellars, the full-production, ultra-premium winemaking facility and kitchen, is the first urban winery to serve handmade limited production craft wines on tap in Downtown San Diego. The winery located in the heart of Little Italy's Design District at 2215 Kettner Boulevard, includes a production facility, a tasting room and kitchen, and an outside patio.
San Diego Cellars produces, serves and sells its own wines, as well as wines produced by Hipper Family Winery. In addition to its Spiller Wine Club, San Diego Cellars offers a refillable wine bottle program for all customers visiting the winery.
San Diego Cellars will open at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and close at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday, and 8 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information, visit www.SDCellars.com or call 619-788-7823
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