TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GREAT BENEFITS OF THE SFWTC WINE CLUB MEMBERSHIP: For those of you who are regulars at our weekly wine tastings, the advantages of a wine club membership are in your favor. Whether he’s comparing a wine to “popcorn, poppers, and that, like, sticky part of the bar at the back of Toad Hall” or “twerking flowers,” his Instagram is an invitation for those who are usually left out of the conversation to join him. Are you having surprise party in a while and don’t want to get caught by driving to the nearest grocery store? Call us at (415) 731-6222 for the best Italian wine, French wine, Oregon wine, California wine, Washington wine, German wine, Australian wine, and Spanish wine In an industry that so often can feel stuffy and exclusive, folks like Decolongon just want to bring a little pleasure back to the experience. World-class wine education and events for professionals and enthusiasts. Learn more, drink better: The essentials of wine, vintage charts, editors' recommendations, recipes, dining and wine pairing tips, collecting and auction advice, news and features, blogs, videos and more. Email: madeline.wells@sfgate.com, Meet the SF sommelier making wine more inclusive with funny Instagram videos, 15 Cheap Wines That Taste Super Expensive, Emma Baker and Brie Schwartz, Cosmopolitan. “One of my pet peeves in the world of wine is that sometimes you find these specific wine pairings that are often Eurocentric, and then when it comes to Asian food, there's just one article that’s like, ‘Oh, sauvignon blanc pairs well with Asian food,’” he said. It is the member's obligation to notify the San Francisco Wine Trading Company of any address changes before the wines are shipped, as we will not be responsible for any misdirected wines. … From a very early moment in my life, I knew that I wanted to contribute something different to the wine and food world.”, Maybe his content is “just funny videos,” as he says, but Decolongon’s goal to make the wine world more inclusive seems to be resonating — he’s already gathered a few thousand followers, who often engage in thoughtful discussions in his comment section. Oakland’s Ordinaire Wine Shop and Wine Bar also offers virtual wine classes for BIPOC, which are free for all students. No order minimums + free delivery on 30-min orders. Show on Map Wine of the Month Club. But since the pandemic started, he’s been focusing his efforts on something a little different: making wine memes. Josh Decolongon, a San Francisco sommelier also known as @sommeligay, is making waves in the wine world with his funny Instagram videos. For example, a membership shared by a couple saves $40 per month in our tastings alone, allowing a Tour of the World or California Dreaming wine club membership to pay for itself! In one video, he urges his followers  “never to limit the way you communicate about wine.”, “If wine truly is for everyone, then confining people to a rubric is like visiting a country with a low English-speaking population and then insisting on only speaking English,” he writes in the caption. We’re here to answer your questions during business hours from 10am - 6pm. There are two tiers to membership: Viticole’s standard wine club costs $99 per month and ships out two 12-bottle cases a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. “Not to get too cerebral about it, because they are really just funny videos, but I think that it's important to break away from how we're trained to talk and think about wine in order to connect with those who feel othered by the current dominant voices of wine,” said Decolongon. Our online wine shop curates the most delicious and sparkling collection of wine. San Francisco resident Jessica Hershfield was looking for something that was a different pace from the grind of working at companies like Google, Uber and Lime. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor. Vinebox: San Francisco-based online monthly subscription service Vinebox relies on the idea that its customers are interested in drinking wine by the glass and don’t own a … The best masks for people who wear glasses, This bundle will help you break into mechanical engineering. “I’m gonna call this one 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ... or 2018 Folsom Street Fair.”. For serious wine drinkers who know what they like but … In signing up for each club, you agree to have the SFWTC bill your credit card $29.00 for the Tour the World duo, $49.00 for the California Dreaming, or $99.00 for the Cellar Club. “So I thought to myself, I need to decolonize wine in the sense of extending it to other cultures and learning about my own culture at the same time.”. San Francisco Travel Guide F&W names fantastic restaurants, groundbreaking bakeries, must-try dim sum and terrific bars. Firstleaf. Wine club memberships make great gifts, whether you give them to others or have one sent to yourself to enjoy. Let our Tour the World Club be your passport to some of the most exciting wines from around the world! What you get: Two or … Price: $90. For him, that desire to connect with those who feel "othered" is rooted in personal experience, going back to when he first became interested in wine at age 19 (the drinking age in British Columbia). Cost: $59/month for two bottles or $79/month for three bottles. Rock Wall Wine Company. Discover the history and passion behind every bottle with the best wine tours in San Francisco. “I was a bit of an awkward queer Filipino boy who didn’t feel he fit in with university life, and wine felt like the antithesis to beer. Started in 2014, this San Francisco-based meal- kit company delivers to 48 states. Your credit card will also be billed for shipping and handling and tax, if applicable, and the same card you give us will be billed monthly until your … Firstleaf. On Decolongon’s Instagram, where he goes by the handle @sommeligay, you’ll find hilarious videos like “The Real Housewines of Bordeaux,” a parody of the “Real Housewives” TV franchise where he impersonates different wine varieties, and a series titled “The grapes of Champagne, France as iconic moments in gay music culture." “And it's like, you're really gonna write off an entire grape to an entire continent of food?”. Nominated "retailer of the year" in Wine & Spirits Magazine and "Top New Wine Destination" in Food & Wine Magazine. … It makes wine less intimidating.”, A post shared by Josh Decolongon (@sommeligay). I want to hear about these experiences that people have, because that’s what makes me gravitate toward wine and flavors.”. Two former tech executives have banded together to elevate the idea of canned wine. San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 896-4935. Members receive full-sized bottle credits so you can stock up on your new favorites wines! At Giftblooms we ensure you to present you the highest, savory and the one that leaves a lasting taste in mouth kind of wine. 3 Reviews (650) 866-3020 Website. He’s been writing about his findings on his blog ever since, where he recommends pairing chardonnay from California’s Arroyo Grande Valley with classic adobong manok, or Valdespino “Deliciosa” Manzanilla Sherry with pinakbet. Over the course of time you will have the opportunity to experience the tastes of wines from all over the globe, including Europe, the Southern Hemisphere and right here in our own backyard—California. FIND THE RIGHT CLUB FOR YOUR INTEREST & BUDGET. in English and Media Studies from UC Berkeley. The use of language surrounding wine is perhaps Decolongon’s most passionate wine-related stance. So, rather than snooze-fest descriptors like “apple” or “vanilla,” Decolongon prefers referring to wines as tasting like the “leather chaps of a sweaty cowboy after he wrestled his friend in a blackcurrant patch" or “my mom giving me a backhanded compliment when I tell her who I’m dating” (yes, these are both real tasting notes he’s used before). She grew up in the Seattle area and received her B.A. “I get that we're trained to describe everything in an objective way, but wine and food is all about the people. While pairing suggestions often center French and Italian food, many other cuisines often get overlooked, like Filipino food. A perfect choice for adventurous palates! Plus: delicious recipes from San Francisco’s greatest chefs. And that’s saying nothing of the great discounts and benefits extended to members throughout the entire year. Best and Unique Collection of Wine Gifts Online San Francisco USA Available @ Giftblooms . But Decolongon is part of a new movement of Bay Area locals passionate about rectifying this issue. Well,… 350,000+ expert wine ratings, with full reviews, including tasting notes, score, price and when to drink. With some of the most beautiful vineyard landscapes, wine tastings and tours are a fantastic experience for all. Maker Wine, a San Francisco based canned wine company, focuses on small batches and independent winemakers. Find something you love? “Tell me about how your wine reminds you of grandma’s purse. The Wine House | San Francisco, CA To help slow the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with San Francisco’s Shelter-In-Place directive, we are now open for phone, email and online orders only. Membership options: 1. As a San Francisco Wine Club member, you will receive two bottles of wine each month. This is your chance to taste the most exciting wines from one of the most diverse wine regions in the world. Decolongon is a 28-year-old certified sommelier from Vancouver, B.C., who moved to San Francisco in 2016 for the same reason many young people … The San Francisco Wine Trading Company - Wine Store in at 250 Taraval Street San Francisco, CA 94116. Very long,” he says, pausing thoughtfully. Store hours for curbside service: Monday - Friday from noon - 5PM. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays. “So I love talking about wine with regards to astrology, because it makes it more fun for queer people, or people who gravitate toward that kind of thing. The San Francisco Wine Trading Company offers three different monthly wine clubs with three different price points and interests to consider. Hours of Operation **Our shops are currently closed to the public but you can still call and email us, and order online for shipping, local delivery, and curbside pickup. Why it's great: San Francisco-based Ferry Plaza, a giant shop in the Embarcadero also offers a bunch of wine subscriptions respected by Singh. Regular Registration: 10/15/2020 – 11/20/2020; Late Registration: 11/21/2020 – 1/15/2021 (extended) Judging: 3/1/2021 – 3/5/2021 116 talking about this. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Wine in San Francisco, CA. Vinley Market. Earn Credits. Award-winning wine & spirits merchant with locations in New York City and San Francisco offering thousands of wines and spirits online for sale and delivery. Saucey has the fastest alcohol delivery near you. Wine Appreciation 240 Dollar Ave South San Francisco CA 94080. For those of you looking for the best of the best, the Cellar Club offers our finest small-production and limited-edition wines. Get Started Current Edition. So one evening, Decolongon took it upon himself to test 13 wines with seven Filipino flavors, for a total of 91 possible combinations. Decolongon is a 28-year-old certified sommelier from Vancouver, B.C., who moved to San Francisco in 2016 for the same reason many young people do — to found a startup (his is called Endless West, which crafts alcoholic beverages in a lab). Get beer, wine, and liquor near you delivered. See our delivery and shipping restrictions. Firstleaf wine club — try your first box for $39.95. With its proximity to the ocean and its rich coastal mountain ranges, California offers exciting terroirs with unique and varied microclimates to explore. 3. Call us with your order: 415.731.6222. This two-in one heater/AC will give you the best sleep, Everyone's favorite SF hofbrau is back for indoor dining, Popular new SF Japanese curry spot clarifies it's not closing, Decorating mixup nearly costs Bay Area restaurant $1,000 in fines, California's bagel scene is better than New York’s, says NYT, Bay Area chef blasts Burger King on 'offensive' ad, These WOW cups saved my furniture and my sanity, Get crafty when you save $70 on a Cricut Maker Machine, Save 20% on Carne Collective's St. Patrick's Day box. California Dreaming | Tour the World | Cellar Club. You’ll also find helpful charts comparing different wine grapes to astrological signs, and suggestions for wine pairings with Filipino cuisine. “I got into wine as a little bit of an escape,” he recalled. Boasting stunning views of the San Francisco skyline from its location in a converted 40,000-square-foot airport hangar, Rock Wall Wine Company offers an exciting way to discover distinctive California wines. 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Medal Winners Sorted by Winery (use Ctrl-F to search this page) “I was studying wine a couple of years ago and I was like, ‘Why do I know more about French regions than I do about Filipino regions as a Filipino?’” he said. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . As a San Francisco Wine Club member, you will receive two bottles of wine each month. Ideal for those who are looking to try wines from smaller, less well-known, artisan producers. Join the Waitlist. We don’t subscribe to trends,” says master sommelier Rebecca Fineman about her philosophy at Ungrafted, the wine shop and restaurant in San Francisco’s Dogpatch district that she opened with her husband, Chris Gaither, in late 2018.And to an extent that’s true. It is admirably named for their respective wives… Get directions, reviews and information for Wine Appreciation in South San Francisco, CA. In signing up for each club, you agree to have the SFWTC bill your credit card $29.00 for the, A detailed description of the wines you’ll be tasting in each shipment, 15% off on purchases of 12 bottles or more of the month’s featured wines, current release wines; excluding net sale items, Quarterly in-store wine tastings exclusive only to members and their guests, Will-call/pick-up option instead of shipping, Happy New Year! Discover new regions, new wine styles, and most importantly what you like and dislike. “You can tell this grape is thin-skinned, like me in high school,” he says, then deadpans: “I was bullied.”, “It’s leathery, it’s sweaty, it’s rough, it’s full. ... Tell me how it reminds you of tamarind, of calamansi, of arroz con gandules.”. by Grace Z. Li • 12/02/2020 11:27 am - Updated 12/02/2020 11:27 am Photo courtesy of Maker Wine March 31, 1995 Two New Wine Bars Open in San Francisco San Francisco, home of the London Wine Bar in the Financial District, thought to be America's first wine bar, … Read our latest wine club offers! “So often when we talk about wine, we forget why it's fun,” he said. You have the option to pick up the wines at the SFWTC or have them shipped directly to you. ** We are open for curbside pick up: Monday - Saturday 12pm - 7pm Sundays 2pm - 6pm SHOP OUR SAN FRANCISCO STORE They pioneered the idea of sending a … “It's super important to keep that joy.”, - Everyone's favorite SF hofbrau is back for indoor dining, - Popular new SF Japanese curry spot clarifies it's not closing, - Decorating mixup nearly costs Bay Area restaurant $1,000 in fines, - California's bagel scene is better than New York’s, says NYT, - Bay Area chef blasts Burger King on 'offensive' ad, Madeline Wells is a reporter for SFGATE covering food and drink in the Bay Area. A member may cancel the wine club membership at any time by doing so in writing without further obligation. Prior to SFGATE, she was an associate editor at East Bay Express and freelance writer covering the Bay Area music scene. Todd Zucker and Clyde Beffa started their mini wine adventure in 1976. Designed to offer avid wine aficionados with rare collectibles, the Cellar Club also makes an ideal gift for the wine-lover who has everything. Napa-based organizations Wine Unify and the Roots Fund, which both arose in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, provide wine education for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color), according to The San Francisco Chronicle. Wine Delivery in San Francisco on YP.com. In an Instagram video titled, “Me taking the Master Somm exam,” Josh Decolongon, dressed in a barong, a formal dress shirt from the Philippines, and his signature clear-frame glasses, holds a glass of wine to his nose and swirls it around. His interest in a more nuanced, accessible approach to thinking about and drinking wine also extends to wine pairings. Taste the best wines of … Both of these new services allow restaurants to offer subscriptions of their own design, whether it’s those Che Fico boxes, a three-course pasta meal for two from San Francisco’s … As a San Francisco Wine Club member, you will receive two bottles of wine each month. Please note, all delivery services are running, including FedEx Same Day in San Francisco, and we are now offering Curbside Pickup. Or, order online for curbside pick-up, free delivery in SF, or shipping nationwide. Systemic inequality in the wine industry is still pervasive — less than 1% of U.S. wineries have a Black owner or winemaker, according to Wine & Spirits magazine, and 71% of U.S. wine drinkers are white, according to Wine Market Council research from 2017. “As sommeliers, we learn this particular set of language that only serves people who have access to those ingredients or have access to that particular sort of language,” he said. This is the company that started it all. Your credit card will also be billed for shipping and handling and tax, if applicable, and the same card you give us will be billed monthly until your membership expires. Organic, fine & rare, craft spirits and more. 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Entry Booklet 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Entry Booklet (PDF) Important Dates for the 2021 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. In signing up for each club, you agree to have the SFWTC bill your credit card $29.00 for the Tour the World duo, $49.00 for the California Dreaming, or $99.00 for the Cellar Club.