Natural wine shop and bar Tofino Wines is closing its doors after nine years in business and hopes to move to a new location. Owners Mark Nevin and April Sack announced in an email to customers that they will be closing the business at 2696 Geary Boulevard, writing that Tofino's last day as a bar will be Saturday, March 30. The couple said issues with renewing their lease and ongoing challenges with the pandemic contributed to their decision to close.

It's not all sad news, though: Nevin and Sack say they plan to find a new retail space for their wine shop and will expand their online business in the meantime. They want to open their store in early July and have started a GoFundMe to help them reach their opening goal. And while the wine bar portion of the store is closing at the end of March, the couple says they'll be operating “in and out of the store” through the end of April if anyone wants to pick up a bottle. “It breaks our hearts to make this announcement, but we plan to take with us many of the beautiful things we have built and created,” the email reads in part. “Most importantly, we want to take you with us, because we have always been the link between the wines and winemakers we care about and our customers, who have been at the heart of our work for nine years.”

Another SF rooftop restaurant will join the chat

Real estate developer Presidio Bay Ventures purchased the building at 60 Spear Street in August 2023, but now the San Francisco Business Times has learned what the company plans to do with the property. The news outlet reports that in addition to creating a larger building, there are also plans to install a 7,700-square-foot rooftop bar and restaurant, as well as a bakery, as well as other structural amenities such as “sauna rooms, cold and hot water pools, floating saltwater pools, co-working -Space” and more, says an application to city planners.

Opening of a new distillery in Rancho Cordova

Gold River Distillery is closing its doors at the end of March after 11 years, but now the Sacramento Bee has news about who is taking over the space at 11460 Sunrise Gold Circle. Set to open there this summer, Dao Distillery plans to produce the first California-made version of the Vietnamese rice liquor Rượu đế.

Pliny the Younger turns 20

The most die-hard beer fanatics probably already know this and are lining up at Russian River Brewing Company, but for the rest of us, the annual return of Pliny the Younger is just around the corner… and the celebrated beer is almost at the legal drinking age. The Mercury News reports that this release of the triple IPA will run from Friday, March 22nd through April 4th and will be available at Santa Rosa Brewpub and Windsor Brewery and Pub in Russian River to mark the beer's 20th anniversary becomes. All detailed information about what to expect when looking for Pliny can be found on the Russian River Brewing Company website.

Spring cleaning party at the Michelin star restaurant

As Osito bids farewell to its sister establishment and bar Liliana, making way for Bar Agricole in May, chef and owner Seth Stowaway is throwing a party to sell the alcohol there. On Tuesday, March 26, from 4 to 6 p.m., fans can stop by for a plate of barbecue and cocktails for $10 per person.

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The post San Francisco Neighborhood Pure Wine Bar and Bottle Store Tofino Wines Is Closing for Now appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

For wine lovers, opening a special bottle can be like a tour of the wine region itself. The nuances of soil, climate and even the personality of the winemaker can be revealed in each glass. The release of this year’s limited Stags Leap District Appellation Collection offers a journey through one of the world’s most renowned Cabernet Sauvignon destinations with 17 different Stags Leap District wines, all from the exceptional 2017 vintage.

This year, Appellation Collection loyalists and buyers also have the opportunity to meet the winemakers and winemakers through a series of interactive virtual tastings so Cabernet Sauvignon enthusiasts can learn more about each of the coveted wines.

“Each of these bottlings stand on their own, but as a collective they tell a complete story of the Stags Leap District and show the distinctive traits of the wines of this region – grace and power, lush texture and lively fruit,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Hirschen Leap District winemakers. “Our virtual tastings deepen the experience and offer the opportunity to hear directly from our winemakers about this unforgettable vintage.”

The 2017 growing season was beautiful, starting with welcome rains that ended a year-long drought and grapevines drank deep in preparation for summer to come. The summer was mild until August, and then – as if fully aware of the holiday celebrating the hard work that makes America tick – the harvest quickly began after a Labor Day heat surge. A cooling phase shortly before the harvest led to a nice tannin development and wines that are rich, round and very well structured – classic characteristics of the Cabernet Sauvignons in the region. Most of the fruits in the appellation were picked before the forest fires broke out that year, so the wines were safe.

Only 150 sets of the wines are available. Each collection contains 17 bottles of 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, beautifully packaged and ready to ship for the holidays. Featured wineries include Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos du Val Wineries, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Wineries, Odette Estate Winery, Pine Ridge Wineries , Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Wineries, and Silverado Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards.

“This is a treasured gift for any Cabernet lover and an incredible addition to a wine cellar,” continued Bialek. “It’s a way of traveling bottle by bottle through the district and exploring the terroir that makes the region so recognizable.”

The Stags Leap District is a historic Napa Valley appellation with records of viticulture dating back to the 19th century. The district bordered the Vaca Mountains to the east and the Napa River to the west and was the first AVA (American Viticultural Area) in the United States to be approved due to the specific nature of its soils. The wines have an international reputation for quality and are critically praised for their particularity.

The 2017 Appellation Collection is exclusively available from October 15 to December 15, 2020 and costs $ 1,999 for the 17-bottle set, which comes in two boxes with detailed tasting notes for winemakers. Ground shipping is included. To purchase or register for the virtual tasting series, visit www.stagleapdistrict.com/AppellationCollection.

The post Discover the Napa Valley’s famed Stags Leap District via its unique Appellation Assortment wines – The San Francisco Examiner appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.