taste | trends

BY GINO L. FILIPPI

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING to add a little “spring” to your step?

With longer days upon us and warmer weather ahead, now’s the time to discover some fun and wine-friendly places in our own backyard. That’s right, the nectars of the vine are nearby and awaiting your arrival!

Wine bars have become the new niche spot for education, fellowship and palate-pleasing food and wine pairings. Forget the pompous and pretentious, I’m talking about establishments where the hosts are helpful and hospitable, the environment easy and relaxed, and the wines tasty and affordable. Whatever your favor and budget, the selection is impressive.

In downtown Pomona’s eclectic art district, I discovered dba256 Gallery Wine Bar. Proprietors Ron Faris and Andi Campognone are both bright, unpretentious and connected to their crafts.

The young entrepreneurs opened dba256 last fall. This interesting, upscale tasting venue combines a contemporary art gallery featuring local and national artists with fine wines and events.

Faris, of Rancho Cucamonga, also is a vintner and oversees dba’s wines, beers and sensory programs. Campognone, of Alta Loma, is the art curator and organizes all exhibits.

“The initial goal was to highlight boutique, handcrafted, small-lot premium wines. I also wanted to pour bottles of my Vin Nostro (our wine) wines,” said Faris, who partners with winemaker Dario Zucconi in Northern California. Faris was pouring his delicious Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Dry Creek Zinfandel as we spoke.

More than 20 wines by the glass are poured and priced from $5 to $14. Bottles also are available from $16 to $122. The wine list at dba256 changes weekly, and it is expanding on a regular basis — as is the number of satisfied patrons.

“We are focusing on thematic group exhibitions. We are a commercial gallery, but we approach all of our exhibitions with a critical essay written by a major art writer or critic, much like an academic institution,” Campognone said.

Dba256 works in conjunction with the local art community scheduling exhibits that will celebrate Pomona College’s Montgomery Gallery, Scripps College’s Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery and the Claremont Museum of Art.

Heidi and Jerry Daniels are the owners and operators of San Dimas Wine Shop.

The daughter/father team presents wine tastings six days a week.

“We have a weekly theme that changes every Tuesday and runs through Sunday.

Our tastings allow customers to sample five to six wines per week, without spending a fortune.

The philosophy at our shop is “value and service,” Heidi said. “With so many different regions around the world producing high quality wines, we are able to offer unique wines at affordable prices.” Heidi and Jerry know their business and customers. They understand that wine creates memories and traditions that are priceless. Wine is not about snobbery or exclusivity at SDWS.

“Our customers are savvy. They look for opportunities to save time and money, while having a good time meeting new friends and enjoying the wine experience with like-minded people,” Heidi said.

“At SDWS, we talk about the wines, regions and winemakers in a approachable and understandable manner,” she continued. “If you can’t afford to travel to Argentina, you can experience the country through the wine.” SDWS also offers the “Joy of Sipping” wine club, offering quarterly shipments of three bottles.

John Solomon, proprietor of Liquorama Fine Wines & Spirits in Upland, offers wine tasting 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays and 3 to 7 p.m. Saturdays. The cost varies ($10 to $25 per adult), depending on the theme.

“Our tastings are great for novice and experts alike because they allow you to try a greater variety of wines from different regions, countries, varietals and winemakers. We also have a wine expert on hand at all times to answer questions and give guidance on wine,” Solomon said.

Also in Upland is Pacific Wine Merchants & Cigar Exchange, where owner Fred Paciocco and team offer an expansive wine-by-the-glass list, put forth in a professional manner in a warm and enjoyable wine bar area.

“We have the rare Eno-Matic Wine System that delivers one-ounce ‘tastes’ of 24 different wines (eight temperature- controlled whites and 16 reds), all rotated on a regular basis. The wines are always fresh and most palatable. The system operates on a refillable debit card,” said wine buyer Mark TeVault of Mission Viejo.

PWM also offers two taps of micro- brewed beers that are served by the pint, with a focus on Inland Empire brewers.

Wine tasting prices (small pours) range from $1 to $5 per sample.

“Becoming our most popular and well-attended tastings are our Friday night events,” TeVault said. “They are more structured and have a theme associated — perhaps a particular grape varietal, a viticulture region, a select winery or niche distributor.” Friday tastings are $20 per adult and include light appetizers. There is a corkage fee of $5 for any selection less than $25.

Sal Medina, proprietor of The Packing House Wine Merchants in Claremont, offers an array of tasting flights during mid-week programs and weekend events.

Opus One, Cloudy Bay and Lynch Bages are just a few of the vintages uncorked.

“On many occasions we have put together wines that customers might not have an opportunity to taste,” Medina said. “We are organizing higher-end wines to taste including ultra-premium cabernets and first-growth French vintages.” In Redlands, wine appreciation is alive and well at Gerrards Market with Bob Kirkland and staff. An experienced wine and spirits buyer, Kirkland is well known and liked by many.

“Being a ‘wine steward,’ I assist customers by making recommendations based on professional ratings and personal experience,” said Kirkland, who has been at Gerrards about 16 years. “I try to understand their individual needs, menu and/or event.” The tastings are held 3 p.m. Saturdays at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant in Loma Linda. Tickets are available only at Gerrards. The reason for the wine tasting is so that people can sample the different wines and styles to see what they like or dislike without the expense of committing to the purchase.

A single event may include the sampling of as many as 14 wines. Gerrards tasting events are $10 per adult.

In addition to fine dining, the historic Sycamore Inn Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Rancho Cucamonga has become a popular destination for tastings and live jazz the third Thursday of the month.

Cost is $20 per adult, with specials at the wine bar from 5 p.m. daily.

Sycamore Inn features more than 40 wines by the glass. Chef Louis Alvarez and staff create delicious entrees to pair with featured vintages from throughout the wine world.

The Wine Tailor in Rancho Cucamonga was opened in 2004 by Ken and Angela Lineberger.

“We believe in trying before buying,” Ken said. “Our wines are produced here from premium quality grapes from California and abroad including France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Chile and Argentina.” John M. Promen is general manager at San Antonio Winery Tasting Room in Ontario, where complimentary wine tasting is available 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

“We offer every major varietal of wine, along with San Antonio specialties, including sweeter wines. We also carry a wonderful selection of California and imported wines as well, including many rare bottles such as French Bordeauxs, Italian Brunellos, Napa and Sonoma Cabernets, and Australian Shiraz,” said Promen, who lives in Rancho Cucamonga.

“It’s important for people to understand the wine before buying. Not all people’s palates are the same,” Promen said.

“Sampling here at the winery allows people to understand the wine before making their purchase.” Wineries also are ideal places to taste new vintages. “We are releasing new wines this month including a fine Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot, and our Heritage Rhone, a blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre and Grenache,” Promen said.

- Gino L. Filippi is a fourth generation vintner and previous vice president of J. Filippi Winery.