Very nice staff and the wine selection was nice. The pours were a bit skimpy and the prices were HUGE!
Hye Eun C.
Classificação do local: 3 Nashville, TN
Stopped by here on my visit to the Bay area. It’s a pretty small venue with lots of wood and dark accents. The wine menu provided a variety of tasting options; however, I felt that the prices were a bit steep in comparison to other sellers in the area. Still, a nice place for a casual drink.
Janice C.
Classificação do local: 3 San Francisco, CA
A retail wine shop/wine bar on Chestnut st. specializing in various California wine regions. They also carry well curated imports. I wanted to try one of the«Last Call» wines and decided on the Count Karolyi Grüner Veltliner, but they ran out. So I had to settle for my second choice, a Rose.(Maybe they should call it the«you’re too late list?!») I feel that the prices are more expensive than normal, but they do have half glass prices too. The ambience is laid-back, with some uncomfortable wooden chairs at the back of the wine bar next to the makeshift«office» area. Sit near the window if you like people watching. I prefer the Cellar Door on Fillmore for a better ambiance and same expensive prices.
Brad B.
Classificação do local: 5 San Diego, CA
I arrived in San Francisco a few days early for work and had the chance to make a few stops with an old buddy. California Wine Merchant was one of them. Small, casual, affordable and lacking pretension, CWM is a great little detour when in the neighborhood — definitely not an upscale grape bar. Our bartender for this particular pitstop was, John. Nice feller… a bit soft spoken but able to casually chat you up without being that stereotypical bartender guy. The selection is great and your wallet doesn’t have to take a beating unless you want it to. If you’re looking for that, they’re happy to oblige. Is it a place that you’ll want to spend all night in? For me, no. For you? Maybe. I get my fix, sip a little wine, chat up a few of the beautiful locals before moving on down the block. Small doses, friends. See you next time, CWM!
Elizabeth W.
Classificação do local: 4 Charlotte, NC
Stopped for a wine flight. The staff were friendly and the place was clean and rustic feeling. The 2 flights we got were ok. The wine wasn’t the best but that’s not their fault. Nice place to sit and enjoy some wine while at Pier 39!
Sebastian F.
Classificação do local: 3 San Francisco, CA
I won’t pretend to be the vino expert that I’m certainly not but here are my two cents. Small wine bar /seller on Chestnut, selected wines only, in the upper price range(glass: $ 9-$ 17, bottles +$ 45). Bar seating and a few tables. Intimate décor, rustic. Will get packed easily! I’m not too fond of paying that much for a glass of vino but I liked the chatty yet relaxed atmosphere in there. Crowd is mixed — some old folks and the young&beautiful.
Josh Q.
Classificação do local: 3 Saint Louis, MO
Meh. Smaller wine selection for the close proximity to major winemaking region. This spot is smallish, although nicely decorated, and falls a bit short in the wine department(which is supposed to be what they do). I wish they showcased more local, California wines. Expect the clientele to be an accurate representation of the Marina crowd.
Michael L.
Classificação do local: 5 San Francisco, CA
Greg the owner is amazing. This place is for folks that actually appreciate wine. He talked to us, we were just off the street into his place, for hours. The guys knows everything. Amazing wines, amazing company. Gotta check it out!
Jen L.
Classificação do local: 3 Seattle, WA
For a wine place, I think the menu is surprisingly underwhelming. The service was ok. Small shop so not good for groups more than 3 people. The server was nice and helpful in selecting the right wine.
Ashley C.
Classificação do local: 3 San Francisco, CA
One of my neighborhood go-tos for a happy, friendly vibe with great wines. Unfortunately my friends and I had a less than stellar experience last night with two female bartenders that were obnoxiously non-observant, catty and whom we actually overheard gossiping about customers. They seemed drunk and failed to take any women at the bars order’s, but paid close attention to the men. Having so much experience in the customer service industry, this was disheartening at best. Probably won’t be back! On another note, there is a great wine bar that just popped up on Union and Fillmore called West Coast Wine — would recommend avoiding California Wine Merchant’s rapidly declining and snobbish vibe and heading over to this new and cozy spot where they serve Belle Glos by the glass and seem way more invested in the venture of what creates a great wine bar experience.
Joyce V.
Classificação do local: 4 Monterey Park, CA
California Wine Merchant was a short walk from where we were staying so it was nice to pop in, grab a seat at the bar & have a glass of wine after a long day of touring the city. I had the Neal 2011 Zinfandel Rutherford Dust Vineyard from Napa Valley-it was delicious! My husband had a glass of a Petite Syrah, don’t remember the name, doesn’t matter, mine was better. A glass was $ 17.00 so a little pricey but we were on vacation.
Monica C.
Classificação do local: 3 Pasadena, CA
A-OK. This place is in a wonderful little area of San Francisco– perfect for tourists and residents alike. It’s got an indoor farmer’s market feel. The place is pretty small so its not great for large groups. Lots to choose from though and the staff are really nice!
Amanda M.
Classificação do local: 4 Astoria, Queens, NY
Waiting for boyfriend to get out of work and all the Marina women start talking to me about why I am drinking alone. The Chenin Blanc was incredible and the bartender was nice. Not into the Marina vibe though.
Stephanie M.
Classificação do local: 4 New York, NY
Great spot! This wine bar is awesome — very cool and chill bartenders. The crowd is mixed — young and old, hip and more relaxed, etc.
Nicole Dawn A.
Classificação do local: 5 San Diego, CA
California Wine Merchant is an intimate little wine bar! I’ve never been to a wine bar but so this was my first experience at one of these places. The ambiance was perfect and would definitely recommend this place if your goin on a date or catching up with a friend. Loved the selection of wines and the Riesling was sooooo gooood! The cheese plate paired well with my wine and I couldn’t get enough of the pistachios and cheese. The bartender John was awesome and provided great suggestions… the service couldn’t have been any better! Just an FYI: be careful when going down the stairs after using the bathroom because the flight of stairs is pretty steep… sooooo if you’ve had a few glasses of wine you might wanted to hold on to that handrail(especially if you’re wearing heels). Overall, I really enjoyed this place and would recommended it to any wine lover if you’re in the marina!
Joe D.
Classificação do local: 3 Oakland, CA
— service was just OK — prices were a bit high(but probably near par for the course in the area) — selection was a bit underwhelming All in all, this wasn’t a bad little spot. The girlfriend and I had actually intended to head to Nectar a block or two down the street, but they weren’t open yet(it was before 5). We took a stroll through the area and came across California Wine Merchant. I thought the idea of using the wine crate lids along the top of the wall was awesome! CAWM couldn’t be anything other than 3 stars for me… nothing really stood out in favor of or against this wine bar. There are probably several better stops in the immediate area(again, I’d recommend Nectar Wine Lounge).
Katie Anne N.
Classificação do local: 5 San Francisco, CA
Um, wow?! I had no idea this place existed until my GF and I stopped in for a drink. Turned out to be a really great time. It was packed the night that we went but the bartender was kind enough to scope some seats for us. We ended up at the bar(even though my GF ended up with gum on her bottom– who does that?!) They offer an assortment of wines by the glass. My friend usually orders a white while i’m a bit Pinot fan. A couple of girls next to use enjoyed a cheese plate, which I am kinda kicking myself for not getting. No scene, no douchy bros in flops. Great wine, awesome bartenders and a great place to stumble upon. Highly recommend! I will be back for HH someday!
Tom M.
Classificação do local: 4 Redondo Beach, CA
A great casual wine bar I used to go to when I lived in SF. Gets busy during happy hour and Friday/Saturday nights, but fun. Always a good list of wines by the glass. Since it’s a wine shop too, you can buy a bottle and open it there for a small corkage fee. But it’s totally worth it – don’t make the mistake I’ve made there often, which is having a glass with a friend, then another and maybe another, and then asking to be charged the cheaper bottle price instead. Ain’t going to happen. Looking for food? They’ve got a cheese plate, and only a cheese plate. Cheese, bread, olives and pistachios. What more do you need? Guys: on Sundays during football season, when all the local dudes were at sports bars, I would go in to find myself the lone male surrounded by a dozen young women. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon…
George A.
Classificação do local: 3 Phoenix, AZ
I’m not even close to what you would call a wine connoisseur. I just drink the stuff, so in terms of selection and what not I can’t really say how this place compares to other wine bars, but it’s okay. It’s small, there’s not a lot of seating(besides the bar itself there’s only a few tables & chairs here and there), and quit frankly I’m not really into the really dark lighting they have going on. The bartenders seemed friendly enough and at the end of day(or I guess I should say, the beginning of the night) my glass of Sauvignon Blanc was just fine. For me, this definitely isn’t a place to hang out at all night, but it’s fine to just pop in for a glass of wine to start your evening.
Asa R.
Classificação do local: 3 Mill Valley, CA
Small place but found a seat. Could order tastes of wine and I liked that. They have a variety of wines, not necessarily ones I’d like but they have a variety nonetheless. Opened a tab and someone else said they wanted to pay it but the person working there went ahead and charged my card anyway and didn’t let the other person pay. Come on staff person, if someone offers to pay: let them! it’s not a place I’d think of first if I was looking for wine in the Marina but if I did remember it, I suppose I’d go back.