The Wine Steward

I have very limited knowledge when it comes to wine, and had been on a treasure hunt to find my husband’s favorite wine with little success. I walked in, described the little I knew about the wine (general region and flavor,) and within minutes the staff person had figured out exactly what I was looking for. I paid a very reasonable price and was done in about 15 minutes, start to finish. It’s so refreshing to go somewhere and have staff actually know what they are talking about. This is a small business that I will be happy to visit again.

From my point of view The Wine Steward is the best wine store I have ever been in. The staff is outstanding; they are friendly and knowledgeable. Jim knows his wines as well as anyone I have met and Steve will work with you to get the wine you want at the price you want. It’s a fun place to go to and the number of wines that are on the shelf is amazing.
It is my go to wine store!

Four stars for service, five for unusual and complete selection of lovely wines. This is definitely worth a stop if you’re looking for something interesting and new!

Awesome place. Great selection, friendly knowledgeable staff. I’m in one of the wine clubs, and I buy all of my wine here.
The upstairs wine bar is also fun, and has received a nice remodel.
Pleasanton is lucky to have this gem.

This is a great place to taste wines and learn about wines from around the world. The staff is very helpful and they will learn what your tastes are and can suggest a new wine to try! The remodeling is going great and makes the tasting area more comfortable.

Eclectic wine selection and very knowledgeable staff. I want to try the flights. Wine club options are innovative. Glad I decided to check it out!

The Wine Steward was a random sighting. while strolling down Main St. the floorspace is literally
cluttered/​cramped/​stocked with many varietals, domestic and imported. most seem $ 20-​$ 30/​
asked the cashier where the bargain bin (s) were. he pointed to the front shelves facing the entrance. found a stack to the right mentioning a closeout of a vinegard’s inventory
buys: syrah greenache 2011 «laurent miquel (8.99)
–lots of body, has bold notes of «red berry/​cocca»
–not the usual smooth drink, some drama to this one.
–cashier remarked this a good wine, it sure is, a bargain too!
take outs:
–will drop in whenever i come to this area.

No babies allowed. My husband, our silent baby in his body carrier strapped to my husband (which he always sleeps in) and myself wanted to taste here. As we tried to come upstairs, they stopped us and said children under 21 were not allowed. I understand, but our 2 month old newborn strapped to my husband wasn’t going to bother anyone, let alone drink illegally. When I got up there, my first pour was generous, but the dog (not hygienic) and the lady on speakerphone next to me seems more disruptive than a silent baby. Management-​I get the law, but this is something where you recognize the spirit and not the letter. The only reason I can see you choosing to lose the money we would have spent is if an officer had already cited you for a similar infraction for an infant in your premises.

I have been part of the wine club here for several years now and I have yet to be disappointed. They have a great selection ranging from bang for your buck all the way up to the fancy stuff and the staff will gladly help you find something new to try. Great local business.

Local — Fun — Fresh new wines.

I’m not going to write a review that will make you question the purpose to everything, but I will say this. If you’re in downtown Pleasanton and want to buy wine, this is your place.
It’s organized very well and of course they have cheese and crackers and all the goodies you need. There is even a second floor to relax with your wine.
Not as expensive as you might think either, but they do have plenty of expensive wines as well. Nice little place.

I continue to be very impressed with The Wine Steward. I always ask the very knowledgable staff for something reasonably priced that’s new, interesting and unique and I’m ALWAYS very happy with their selection. The last time I was in the store I asked for something in the $ 20-​$ 30 price range and they actually suggested a bottle that was only $ 12. That never happens at wine shops and of course their pick exceeded my lofty expectations. Definitely one of the best wine shops in the Bay Area.

Staff is very helpful and knows about many varieties without being pretentious. Great spot to taste downtown and uncover new wines,

I loved this place. My friend Robert and I have lunch in downtown Pleasanton quite often, and after lunch we wander around and look at the stores. We’ve been in this store before but never bought anything. We were walking by the store the other day and they had a sign up that said that they had my favorite wine! We came in to check it out and David asked us if we needed help. Wonderful David was so funny, and knowledgeable about wine. My favorite wine was a really good price, and he recommended another wine that he said was almost as good. They have a great selection of wine, and the store is huge. David said that the store used to be a movie theater and they have the projector upstairs!

They actually have a wine here that has been sold out at everywhere else. I don’t want to totally give it away for fear that it will soon be sold out here as well but, it starts with a «Rom» and ends with «auer». It was also a few dollars less than other places so that was a bonus.
It appears that they have every wine imaginable in addition to «the wine that shall not be named». There are also wine tastings available upstairs.

I would buy a bottle of wine here — they have a great selection — but I would not have a drink here again. As others have said, there is one server in particular who is terrible. He pours each wine in your flight separately (one at a time) and never tells you what he’s pouring. He spilled wine on my friend’s bag and then charged her for the bottle of sparkling water that another (nicer) server got for her to use to clean it. He’s unfriendly and just makes you feel like he doesn’t want you there — basically, he provides the opposite of good service. Since so many other reviewers have said the same thing, it must not have just been an off night. So I wouldn’t recommend it.

Well this was easy and also long overdue.
They’re a wine shop with product from almost every wine growing region in the world.
They have a fantastic selection of chilled wine & champagne.
They have monthly wine clubs ranging in price from $ 20-​$ 100+.
They also sell some pretty amazing cheeses, and imported gourmet foods.
They offer wine storage onsite and private tastings for their members.
They have a wine bar/​tasting area upstairs that can be as lively, hospitable and friendly as any bar downtown.
The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and just plain cool.
And finally…
THEY SELL REALLY EFFING GOOD WINE!!!
Nuff said, I’m getting thirsty.

I always dislike doing this but given the circumstances I must. So I was contacted by the owner which as always made me happy as it means the owner cares about his business to reach out to people disatisfied whatever the circumstances. I was in the process actually of accepting his offer to try them out again as I was planning on being in town this weekend. That is until I read the following written by what appears to be a friend of the owner.
Scott C.
Pleasanton, CA
Update — 8÷6÷2012
Meg W., When you came to the Wine Bar it was closed, being a Sunday. But, since the Wine Steward offers private wine storage, members can open bottles and drink them at the bar during business hours. That’s what we were doing. We don’t work here. We told you that.
This is completely incorrect and the reason I choose not to come back and give this place a try. We WERE NOT told about any private tasting, nor we were given any service when we wanted to purchase bottles. Excuse me I have my own wine locker and I happen to be a wine club member at serveral places. I am not an idiot and understand the concept of private tasting hours. Given that explanation I would simply have come back during business hours if I had wanted to taste as that is something completely reasonable.
The entire point of my visit that day was to PURCHASE wine. There was indeed a gentleman working behind the bar assisting Scott C and his party that DID work there. Given the sour taste this has left in my mouth I have instead changed my plans. It is a shame too as it appears that those a generation older than me seem to get wonderful service here.

Amazing service… great selection, reasonable prices!
They have never failed me… today I was guided to a Veritable Quandary… which is a mixture of unusual grapes… I can’t wait to try it with the shrimp and sausage Chippino I am making tonight!

Upon entrance, the laughter coming from their upstairs wine bar told me that I am in the right place. I love being rambunctious!
But wow, while Sophia C and I worked our way upstairs, I could not stop being distracted by all the bottles of wine they have in this little wine shop! THERE’S WINE EVERYWHERE!!! (And cheese!!!)
We tried the red flight, which gave us two-​ounce samples of red wine from five different wineries for $ 20. Needless to say, I had to finish Sophia C’s last two glasses. She was done by the sixth ounce.
The décor is simple, the patrons and staff members are friendly. I wish they could be a little more informative about what types of wine we were tasting, but it could be partly our fault that we didn’t inquire about them. Oh well, why ask when you can drink?
They also offer cheese pairings, meat plates and salami plates. Perfect place to talk about boy problems!