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Alameda Wine Co
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 4 pm - 10 pm
Sat 1 pm - 10 pm
Sun 3 pm - 10 pm
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
109 reviews for Alameda Wine Co
Review Highlights
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"The lady Karen (i think shes the owner." In 22 reviews -
"I absolutely love the cheese plates." In 6 reviews -
"Or, go for the lovely smoked trout spread." In 3 reviews
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109 reviews in English
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Review from Ed V.
5/23/2012 3 photos
This charming sleek little wine bar is located at the historic Alameda Theater Complex, it has a pretension-free menu that serves a dozen or so largely satisfying noshes - the $6 dollar cheese plate that comes with fresh fruit, nuts, and baguette is a great bargain.
Owner Karen Ulrich and her employees are very knowledgeable of the wine they pour. Most of the fresh and artisan foods you enjoy at this bar are from small, independent retailers and wholesalers of Alameda, the East Bay or just slightly beyond.
This stylish, relaxing, jazz-themed bar also has a couple of outdoor tables at the front patio where in if people watching is your thing - you will have a blast.
You can buy a bottle to take home or to enjoy at the bar for a corkage fee of $8. They have Wine Flights, 6 ounce glass or 3 ounce taste.
They also allow outside food from the following neighboring restaurants;
-BurgerMeister
-Cafe Central
-Kabob Central
-Troy
-Viva Mexico!
On Mondays & Tuesdays they offer free corkage. -
Review from Dor H.
Alameda, CA
5/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I only subtract 1 star because I'm not much of a wine person, but this place is lovely.
My parents love to come here and they introduced me to it, as well. Karen is very courteous and knowledgeable about wine. She's great to talk to but if you want your space, she will just let you enjoy the atmosphere. I've read the other reviews here, but I have not experienced any "Kraken"-like behavior.
There's little tapas on the menu as well as a whole array of wines to choose from. But with all this food in Alameda, this seems like a place you would go to either before or after a meal just to sit back and relax. -
Review from emily s.
Oakland, CA
5/7/2012
This place is so cute!
Their wine flights are very reasonably priced and they have a great selection. I didn't order any food but next time I go back I will after seeing other parties ordering cheese plates.
The guy who works here is really nice and super casual which really ties in the whole atmosphere.
The woman who works here with him, however, is another story. I have one of those vertical diver licenses and just turned 21 a month ago but it still plainly states the date of birth. The woman saw it was vertical and freaked out even though the guy already checked it. She repeatedly kept checking it as if thinking it would change before her eyes.
It's also really small, I mean tiny. So I wouldn't recommend going in a group of people, maybe only one or two friends.
I cant wait to go back to drink wine...and avoid her. -
Review from Laura S.
Alameda, CA
5/17/2012
I love this place. Karen clearly loves wine and wants to share that with her customers. The food offered is very good, but this isn't a restaurant, so don't expect a full meal. Sign up for the mailing list to find out about events, because the website isn't necessarily up to date.
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Review from Dianah R.
Alameda, CA
4/3/2012
You either love this place, or you hate it...
I love it! I'm here all the time. It's the only place in Alameda where you can get decent wine and excellent cheese! Not only is the quality excellent, but the prices are so affordable. Karen always takes care of me and she always has a good selection of wash rind cheese and charcuterie. -
Review from Jeffrey G.
San Leandro, CA
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
"We are closed because I'm f**king tired of sh**."
It was 8:30 PM (and it clearly says they are closed at 10PM)
FIRST time I was ever told that by any business. Wow. What a way to speak to potential customers. -
Review from Shannon K.
Oakland, CA
10/24/2011
A cute little hangout tucked in between a lot of busyness on Central Ave. Great people watching spot! The place is small, but it has a local neighborhood feel to it that I liked. A convenient lot across the street makes for easy parking too.
There are a couple tables outside, a small bar and a few tables to hang around inside. There were seven of us, all dykes, and any place that treats us like regular ol' customers gets bonus points from me. I'm not sure if our server was the owner, but she was hella fine in her dark sunglasses and Union Jack shirt! She made the experience all the better in my book! In all seriousness, she was also helpful, attentive and friendly.
None of us did a wine flight and I would like to go back to do one. I love wine flights. We ordered a variety of whites, reds, rose and bubbles. Everyone seemed satisfied and happy with their selection. Some of us paid together, some separately and we didn't get any gruff about it.
I'm not sure it's a great date spot because of its size everyone would be on the date with you, but it's definitely a cool little spot I will go back and hang out with my friends. -
Review from Jory M.
Alameda, CA
Updated - 8/21/2011
This place has taken a huge turn for the worse. Not sure what the new business plan is, but it's not working. Used to be big fans - not so much anymore. Service from anyone other than Karen is subpar, and the wine selection is weaker each and every time we walk by.
It's sad to see a place like this start so strong and ultimately turn into this. I hope she can turn it around.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/27/2009
My girlfriend and I stopped by on Sunday around noon and very much enjoyed ourselves. I'm not sure… Read more »
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Review from Temenah C.
Irvine, CA
9/5/2011
Went on a tour through Alameda with some locals and ended up at this place. Too cute! It's very small but the owner, Karen, was very knowledgeable about wines and very friendly.
What I really liked about this place is that it was so unpretentious. The wines were good but it didn't feel frou frou. I didn't have food, just wine and some nuts and stuff. I'd definitely go back while visiting relatives in Oakland. -
Review from R T.
Livermore, CA
10/5/2011
I love the Alameda Wine Co!!!!!! This bar is located in the downtown area of Alameda right next to the theater - perfect for getting wine before a movie! They have inside and outside seating and the atmosphere is great whether you choose street or the bar. The music is loud enough to hear, but you can still hold a conversation. The wine selection changes a lot, with various specials and lots of different local wines.
Now, I am not an expert on wine, yet I am never made to feel inferior for my lack of knowledge. All the workers make great recommendations and seem to know their product rather well, but without being pretentious. I suggest the wine snobs to go to all the local wineries if you want the normal wine experience - this place is for people to enjoy themselves, not feel good about yourself for knowing so much about wine.. The food here is AMAZING including cheese samples, plates, and the pizza is to die for. It's all a bit pricey, so expect that before you head in. Oh, and they have amazing hand dipped truffles too, perfect to pair with dessert wine after a meal at any of the local restaurants in the downtown area.
Apparently I can't leave a review here without mentioning the owner (since she seems to be a common subject in the reviews here.) I've been here many times over the past year and a half, and she is normally working. Never seen her go crazy on anyone. I'm nice to her, she is nice to me. Sometimes things get a little inappropriate as in adult behavior/conversation, but nothing that has ever made me feel uncomfortable or made me want to leave. I've definitely never seen any rude treatment towards any customers so I am pretty surprised to see these negative reviews! I personally think the staff adds to the perks of the place.
Cons: Selection changes so that my favorite wines/cheeses are no longer available. Sadness!!! Also, the hours aren't like a normal bar, but like that of a restaurant - I have wanted to stop by many times only to discover they are closed. I don't know their trends, maybe they don't get business later, but I know my friends and I would go later if they were open later. -
Review from Bonnie B.
Alameda, CA
Updated - 5/3/2011
Hi Bonnie,
I'm writing to let you know that we've removed your review update of Alameda Wine Co. Your review update was flagged by the Yelp community, and our Support team has determined that it falls outside our Content Guidelines (http://www.yelp.com/gu...) because it contains personal attacks.
We understand you may have had an exceptionally bad experience. While we welcome our reviewers to share their experiences and to be as descriptive as possible in those accounts, we ask that they avoid taking their grievances to a personal level.
Removed Update:
Read all your other reviews and find out how crazy the corkage fee is and also former customer's thoughts of Karen.You really should work on your customer service skills. I was one of your better customers when you first opened. How soon we forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RETAIL STORES THAT SERVE FOOD DO NOT CHARGE FOR CORKAGE FEE! YOU CHARGE FOR CORKAGE FEE WHEN SOMEONE BRINGS IN THEIR OWN BOTTLE. IF YOU ARE NOT MAKING ENOUGH ON YOU PRICEY BOTTLES OF WINE, THEN CHARGE MORE.....BUT STOP INSULTING PEOPLE WITH THE CORKAGE FEE CRAP. YOU WANT RESTAURANT HOURS, THEN ACT LIKE A RESTAURANT. FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO PAY YOUR RENT AND UTILITIES. Please see th email I received today at my home. Is this anyway to run a business!!!!!
Hi Bonnie,
Vilma F. has sent you a message on Yelp: The corkage has never been $4 "Fist off you are a rude bitch. The employee working at the time is 24 turning 25 and just because you are very old and can not understand the concept of a corkage fee because of your obvious lack of character does not mean you can write bold faced lies on yelp. Get a clue, get a life, and do not ever return because you will never be served. Sincerely, The Crew" To reply, click the link below: http://www.yelp.com/mail?
YELP,
BEFORE YOU REMOVE THIS AGAIN, PLEASE READ THE EMAIL THAT WAS WRITTEN TO ME AS IT IS POSTED.
I believe AWC should be reprimanded as well.
Thank you.
Bonnie1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/16/2011
It has been over a year since I have gone to the Alamede Wine Co. I went there this evening to… Read more »
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Review from xtina d.
Castro Valley, CA
6/24/2011
Mr. DJ and I arrived to our dinner reservations way early and had time to spare. We look across the street and spotted this place. DIdn't bother checking yelp.
We had a good experience and all of the negative reviews I'm reading now are surprising. Supposed monster owner Karen was there but she was very pleasant towards us, greeted us when we came in and then thanked us for coming in when we left.
Our server was really cool and helpful. The place was welcoming and comfortable. They didn't have any Merlots (typically what I order) on the menu when we visited. I mentioned that I prefer merlots and asked if she could recommend something similar. She knew immediately what to offer me and even let me taste it before deciding if I wanted a glass. It was perfect so I went with her suggestion (it was a Malbec...never had one before and now I'm a fan!)
We ordered the olive bread with walnut pesto. The pesto was amazing and went perfectly with our wine.
We will definitely be back. Glad we found this place to chill at before dinner!! -
Review from Stefanie M.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/6/2011
Place has decent selection of wine, cheese and meat. It's always nice to come here for date night. You can hear the other person speaking without shouting. Service is good.
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Review from Uland W.
5/31/2011
Tax free Tuesday and free corkage Monday are the best time to go. I'm just saying, this place is next door to the Alameda Movie Theater. The place is pretty small but it's cozy. The wine list is decent and the atmosphere is relaxed and chill. If you like tapas, it goes well with their wine selections.
Come for the drinks and stay for the atmosphere. -
Review from Mariel F.
Alameda, CA
6/2/2011
Their Cheese Plates, Tapas, and Desserts are quite tasty.
I like their Wine Selection (Sparkling, White, & Port).
Before I watch a movie at the theater, I try to stop by here.
I enjoy coming to the Alameda Wine Co. -
Review from Marc O.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2010
What have we here...a chance to get lost in the Dionysus' own den? Indeed!! I found myself entranced with the establishments libational integrity and surely was about to be taken away by the sweet Mediterranean breeze when...what's this?....no, surely not... yes...
THE KRAKEN HAS BEEN RELEASED!!
I know not which of my incantations brought her forth, but her fury was swift and dare I say inelegant. The proprietor of this establishment was surely bewitched by Hades himself if she thinks that a business can be run in such a manner!
As I fled in a panic, I did manage to catch a glimpse of her reflection in my shield. Needless to say I shall not be returning.
I say good day to you, madam. -
Review from Cath M.
8/24/2010 2 Check-ins Here
My girlfriend and I had a really tough week so before catching our flick, we stopped here to get some alcohol in our system. We figured this would be a good spot to start the day...
We walked in on a gorgeous Saturday after and there was a group of ladies drinking and sitting outside while a man was inside with the proprietor.
Being new... we didn't know the protocol. I looked at their menu and right away knew that this was going to be expensive... their wine selection was eh along with the prices.
Girlfriend opted to get a beer (beer girl she said and asked for a Guinness (not on brew but they have quite a few beers...) and I got a glass of a Pinot (forgot the winery it was from but knew it was $12 a glass!)
We sat outside and she poured the wine and brought the beer (which BTW was the wrong beer, it wasn't Guinness but my friend sucked it up and not complained...)
Overall, it was OK. The wine was eh... my friend's beer... eh. Total for the whole shindig... $20 plus tip.
I talked to proprietor briefly to inquire if she carries Cakebread and or Dr. Loosens ... nope but apparently I can get them from BevMo. NO... I can't b/c I tried. For all you Cakebread fanatics... they have limited releases of their Pinot!
Probably the first and last time ... weird policies and really expensive for their limited wines. -
Review from L. S.
San Leandro, CA
2/22/2011
My husband and I enjoy this wine bar and visit regularly, at least once per month. Delicious wines at reasonable prices, yummy cheese/tapas plates we can never resist, and a cozy setting next to the theater (yes, it's small but great use of space and oh-so-relaxing). We always end up having fun conversations with the staff or whoever is sitting near us -- it's only natural after the first glass! And if you're not sure what to order, just ask -- you'll gain insight and find a wine you like.
I've read several reviews from one-time visitors and I just have to let you in on a little secret I've learned as a semi-regular -- these wines are selected with careful thought. I always discover something new that I enjoy. Just last night we were there and I was in the Sauvignon Blanc mood but my husband felt it was too acidic and voila, we ended up sharing a delicious bottle of a dry Riesling along with a manchego/salami plate. Who knew we'd go for the Riesling and wow was that manchego a good match. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. -
Review from Ashley M.
Oakland, CA
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Awesome night out with the girls at Orange Salon last night. I live in Oakland and working in Alameda I am finding all these little gems. Alameda Wine Co is one for sure. Karen was fantastic, told us all about the wine and cheese she served us and everything was delicious. In fact, I normally only like reds, but she brought some Rosè and Champagne to us that was very good. Will go again.
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Review from Andi T.
8/12/2008 1 photo
I think this might be another time I accidentallyonpurpose manifested a wine bar. Suzanne B and I were wishing HARD for a wine bar in Alameda, and then poof! There it was. Niiiiiiiiice.
The owner is very kind and offers local artisan snacks and an interesting variety of reasonably priced wines by taste, half glass, full glass, or bottle. We got to try a lot of new wines without breaking the bank. The cheese plate was a whole meal! And the banana chutney was amazing.
I'm not a big fan of jazz, but it worked to create a good vibe and didn't annoy me. I want to go here every night! -
Review from Suzanne B.
San Francisco, CA
8/13/2008
To fully understand my joy, I need you to close your eyes and imagine a certain brown-haired transplanted wine geek standing outside the Alameda Wine Co clapping her hands and
up
Jumping and
down
in complete and utter happiness.
I really needed a wine bar in Alameda (a certain pirate claims we manifested this place through sheer wish fulfillment), but more than that - I needed *this* wine bar in Alameda. The wine list is small but incredibly affordable. The cheese plate is generous and loaded with goodies to complement the cheese options. The retail bottle selection contains a few favorites and several with whom I hope to become closely acquainted very, very soon. The space is small inside, but the outdoor patio area promises good times on warm summer nights. It's a fabulous fit for friendly, low key Alameda.
My one concern is that the owner (low key and friendly too) has a tiger by the tail and may become overwhelmed. Every time I've been here the place is full, the owner is running around managing it all herself - and I wait a looooong time. One of the charms of going to a small wine bar is having an interaction with the person who picked the list. A couple of times, I've had the beginnings of great conversations with this owner about the wine - she clearly opened this place as a labor of love and has a lot to say - but every time she's pulled away by the demands of her success. I hope she gets some assistance so she can use her time building rapport with her eager clientele.Listed in: Vino Vino Vino!
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Review from Taj A.
Alameda, CA
6/5/2009
Just for the record, I always thought this place was " weird." What would appear to be a welcome addition to downtown Alameda is atually a trip into another dimension.
Don't know if they got hip to this and changed it, but they charge corkage on wine you order and drink there. Not your wine, but theirs. Doesn;t make any sense.
I happen to not care for the wines here. My gf explained that I don't have a sophisticated pallate. Probably so.
The final straw was the alameda journal cover a couple months ago. The owner felt " blue" since she couldnt shorten her work hours, so she shaved her head and painted her face blue, then took emo pics for the reporters. I should it to my other half and said " I can't support this."
A day later the guy who runs Fireside Lounge painted his face "red".
Alameda is so weird and awesome !! -
Review from Tina L.
San Leandro, CA
5/25/2010
This had to be hands down the rudest most unprofessional b _ _ _ _ of an owner that I have dealt with in a long time. She was so rude and would not even take a minute to answer a question. I had stopped in to inquire about having a group come for wine tasting and she could have cared less.
The place was dead with maybe two customers she was at the bar making up a cheese tray and said she was busy and did not have time to answer questions. I turned around and left and would not ever step foot in this wine bar again or recommend it to anyone!!!! Too bad there is not a negative star to give them because I would. -
Review from Aaron G.
1/26/2010
Sometimes all you need is good wine and the company of friends. The day that i was upset and going stir crazy at home, turned out to be one great day of conversation and company. And it all happened right here at the Alameda Wine Co. Mark M., Greydon U. and Mary Ann G. came out to support my habit of drinking when times get rough. Thank goodness Mary Ann G. found this place. Situated next to the Alameda Theater, this wine bar can be easily missed if you attention is on the Theater right next door.
Walking win, its a nice comfortable classy feeling space. Bottles of wine line the right wall, while a bar is situated on the left side of the room. Not many people were here when we first arrived but we found that to be different later on that evening. They offer wines by the glass or by the bottle and do charge a corkage fee for the bottle, which could end up becoming a little pricey. However, the knowledge of the servers are unsurpassed. They gave us fantastic recommendations and even more fantastic recommendations on pairings of cheese and fruit.
I also really enjoyed that there was sunlight streaming into the bar. Although the sun can be a little strong here, it was a bright cheerful place and that helps with the experience. They also have a patio area so no matter what, you can get some of that sunshine (weather permitting of course).
I'm glad I have friends that i can count on and a wine bar that's comfortable, classy and close by. -
Review from Woman Warrior W.
Oakland, CA
1/5/2009
This place is a great concept--reasonably priced wine, generous snacks, and great location in the heart of Alameda.
The wine was fine, the snacks were fine, but the staff was horrendous (particularly the owner!). She was rude and confrontational--and I'm totally meek! I was drinking my wine and enjoying some time with a friend when she came over and started berating me. I was really put off by how she treated me, and simply will NOT return to give this place my hard earned money.
There is no need to treat your customers crappy! We're paying you! -
Review from Autumn K.
8/20/2009
Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there was a very lonely and sad, but hot, princess, searching for a knight in shining armor (ok, Nisan) to come along and steal her heart, give her goosebumps, and put up with her intense neuroses and bitchy nature.
At the same time, there was a handsome prince charming who happened to frequent a website which was frequented by the princess as well. As luck would have it, the prince met the princess by chance in an enchanted garden (Lucky 13), the princess gave him a magical love potion (Red Stripe), and the rest is history...
After a night of champagne and cavorting with friends (fellow yelpers) at a grand drinking hall (Harry's Bar) on a hill with breathtaking views (Pac Heights), the prince and the princess decided to be royal together (no- we waited til the 5th or 6th date) and kissing commenced and a formal date was made.
Ok. End fairy tale. It's still on, but the honeymoon's over :) Our first date was at Village Cafe in Alameda (don't ask why). Since that was the first place that we shared that first-time-alone discomfort and special drink-enough-to-make-some-bad-decisions time, we traverse the palace gates (bay bridge) and head over there for greasy italian memories.
You can imagine my despair when we got there last week to find it closed. CLOSED! I cried, stomped my feet, and pinched myself in hopes I would wake up from this nightmare. The prince (Matthew R) comforted me by taking me to this awesome wine shop/bar for cheeses and meats, olives and nuts, and an amazing bottle or two of a delicious Malbec from Mendoza (sounds like a circus act). The owner and the knowledgeable staff are outstanding, the vibe is completely laid back and unpretentious, and the prices are really great considering current economic climate.
The snacks and nibbles menu is expansive for a place that really does toe the line between a store and a bar. There's a little patio in the front or a long bar to sidle up to indoors. We were so happy (drunk), we almost forgot that our specialist place ever had (un)magically disappeared . Oh well...we still got Lucky 13. And I'm pretty much the luckiest princess ever. Because I got the prince. And now I've got Alameda wine bar- a new reason to leave SF every now and again. -
Review from Michael C.
San Francisco, CA
7/23/2011
As am SF resident who gets over to the Alameda with some frequency (my boat is docked nearby), I appreciate this establishment as it gives me one of the only true SF experiences when here. The environment is first class and the staff knows wine and serves good wine. Much of the criticism I read here is weak, petty and has nothing to do with the purpose/vision of the establishment. If you want to drink great wine with a knowledgeable staff in a clean, safe environment, this is your place (Alameda has nothing like it). There are plently of low-end establishments that have been here for years to meet your needs....While I can understand some concerns ....what I read here seems to be written by Townies who have yet to realize that the City is moderninizing and up-leveling with the times!
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Review from E G.
Alameda, CA
8/23/2008
Went to try the place out for the first time for a friend's birthday. Was really underwhelmed.
First, it's great that a wine bar now exists in Alameda. That said, the service in the place was kind of wide-eyed-stare bad. Not that there wasn't someone there to help you, but when the help came, it was with more than an amusing dose of bad vibes.
A woman who I think is the owner served us, and she defined 'wet blanket.' Within the time it took us to drink our Pinot (not the French one that was listed on the outdated menu, but one that another server described as "not as good as the other one, sorry", when asked to describe the wine), she had bad-mouthed the City of Alameda ("F**cking leeches"), Farmstead Cheeses, the Marketplace, and Rosenblum Cellars. A veritable fount of negativity this one. Dour-eyed and frowning, she really didn't seem to be enjoying her job, and it contributed to a drag of an atmosphere in an otherwise nicely designed space.
Not sure I would go back, but my desire to see the IDEA of the space succeed might give me cause to give it another chance. I just hope that woman is off that day! -
Review from InfodivaMLIS B.
San Francisco, CA
12/22/2009
Great central location. Right next to the movie theater so you can get alittle pre-cinema wine on.
I enjoyed the excellent selection of reds. I had an tasty Ochoa and Beaujolais nouveau from California.
The prices are reasonable and affordable. You can buy by taste, glass, bottle. There is some food snacks mainly (cheeses, prociutto, olives etc) to compliment the wine drinking. -
Review from Angela C.
Alameda, CA
9/20/2011
As a regular that's been coming since it opened 3 years ago, I finally decided to put in my two cents.
Karen is unique. Smart, brash, occasionally rude to others (especially if she's been working by herself for many hours without a break) but with a ton of knowledge & experience inside that just-about-shaved head of hers.
She has educated my palate immensely and treated me with respect. She's introduced me to varietals I'd never heard of, is always a good resource for an interesting bottle under $20 and has one of the best value cheese plates in the Bay Area. She has slimmed down her selections a bit recently, going by what customers are buying and she's fine tuning things as she goes.
I'm looking forward to meeting the new, experienced Staff that she'll be training starting this week since Megan and a few others have moved on.
Having good backup will definitely make things easier on everyone.
BTW, last night she was very nice and stayed open at least an extra half hour so that the 3 Chinese students who came in 10 minutes before closing could finish their bottle. -
Review from Megan L.
San Francisco, CA
7/14/2008
Being just around the corner from this place, the b/f and I decided to venture out on opening night. While service was a tad slow, we didn't let it phase us considering there were quite a few friends there to lend their good wishes. The b/f and I tried 5 different wines, with the Tres Ojos Old Vines Garnacha '06 stealing the show (enough that we took home the bottle for all of $9.50 ) and the Licoco Indico '06 blend of Carignane and Petite Sirah coming in a close second. The prices are ridiculously low (for tastes, glasses or bottles) and the cheese plate we had was far and away more generous than one from any other wine bar I've been to. Owner Karen was quite nice, taking time out of her busy evening and a few problems to chat with us and give us a complimentary taste of a digestif that was surprisingly good.
There are four tables outside (I know where I'm going on the next hot evening) and two bars indoors plus four seats next to the window. All the food comes from local (if not solely Alameda) purveyors and the jazz music provided nice ambiance. We'll definitely be back! -
Review from Kelly C.
Alameda, CA
3/27/2009
Ok, yes, the owner is a bit eccentric. However I personally found her to be a friendly eccentric in a micro mini. HOT!
She also really knows her stuff. Double hot!
My husband and I walked in, looked bewildered and were cordially invited to imbibe and enjoy free meat plate...mmm meat plate. But I digress..
You can either enjoy 6 oz glass of wine for 6 something (on avg) or a 'tasting glass' of 3 oz for around 3 something (on avg.). We opted to get two tasting glasses each but were having a hard time choosing what we wanted. The owner just kept putting 'splashes' of this and that in front of us (separate glasses of course) and we drank a lot. A lot, a lot. And then a lot more. Too bad we had to drive or we'd have had even more! wine! yay!
We sat at the main counter and the owner graciously asked us to fill out a survey which we did, because, well, my husband likes to give his opinion on everything and why the hell not. We were drinking wine and hanging out!
All the while we enjoyed meat plates. Free, high quality meat plate. Of course next time we go back it probably wont be free because my understanding is that she is trying this meat out because the distributor is vying for her business. But I'd buy this meat next time anyway. It went nicely with the wine.
The space itself is on the small side and I couldn't tell if there was a restroom. There were around 3 counters that you could sit at. The counter behind us had two small groups at it and they were all chatting. Surprisingly enough the chatting didn't bother us. I would think in such a small space that the various conversations going on around you would be distracting however I'm happy to report that the acoustics handle nicely in here and nearby conversations are hardly noticeable. There is also an outdoor patio which is nice on a warm evening.
The wine selection is pretty decent. And it has reasonably priced wines too. Yes, there were expensive bottles and for me because I don't like spending money on things that get ingested anything over 20 falls into that category. But there was an ample selection of great wines in the 10-15 dollar range.
In the end we purchased 4 tasting glasses and a bottle of wine. I'll definitely go back as it was a great place for a date night away from the 3 year old. -
Review from JSwizz D.
Alameda, CA
6/28/2010
The other reviews cracked me up. I completely hear what people are saying because the service is certainly unique. Unique and refreshing.
I love wine but I'm not a snob. I can't stand walking into a wine place and having someone stare at me like I'm a wine neophyte. What can I say? I like wine and wearing vintage t-shirts and jeans, not exactly your typical wine-o. I dig that you can enjoy multiple great wines (they have some amazing and cheap sparkling wines) and there's always someone in the store who's really knowledgeable. They don't look down on you and the owner and other staff have always been really cool. Keep in mind, I am a really polite customer and I never skimp on a tip. I heard the owner badmouth a guy who didn't tip one time, and frankly, I didn't blame her! Screw cheap skates who try to save a few bucks after getting good service.
I absolutely love the cheese plates. For the price, it's a bargain and you're sure to get some farmers market fresh produce based on what's in season.
Also, they were really nice to my friend's dog who was enjoying the patio with us and they gave her some water.
If you're a laid-back wine drinker who loves a little local flair, this is the place for you. -
Review from S M.
Alameda, CA
3/27/2009
A wine bar featuring reasonably priced quality wines. The quirky and slightly smashed owner was a thin woman who sported a shaved head and a skirt constructed with little more material than the dome. The decor was a bit too 80's electromagnetic for my taste but it beats the stuffy and pretentious air common to a majority of wine bars out there, All that is missing is a sex room in the back
stars for: quality, price, off-beat, inspiring thoughts of sex rooms
leave off one star for: sterile ambiance -
Review from Cory G.
Oakland, CA
9/8/2008
I liked the wine list and the prices are low. We had a really enjoyable Friday night here, sitting outside on a warm night, drinking wine, and watching people walk by.
I definitely see what other Yelp users say about the customer service, but luckily we didn't engage the proprietress or the waiter very much so we didn't get all the negativity.
The wines are decently priced and come as both tastes and full glasses. The weirdest thing is that, if you want a bottle, you have to add on $5 for a corkage fee. Now, I understand why they do this as they also sell wine at a retail price, and I understand that the bottle should cost more when you order it at a bar or restaurant, but the way they have it set up is totally weird. Why not just have the regular bottle prices and then a big sign that says "All wines $5 off for retail purchases" instead of having to add $5? That way, it feels like you're almost getting the wine at a discount if you buy a retail bottle or two to take home instead of paying a penalty for ordering a bottle.
Still, it was an enjoyable evening and the wines were good, interesting, and presented well. I liked their glassware and the modern look of the bar. I'll be back for after dinner drinks in Alameda for sure. -
Review from Molly W.
Alameda, CA
4/14/2011
The owner was SUPER rude to my boyfriend and I when we were eating our food from Troy over there. There's a sign in Troy (across the street; super yummy and wonderful!) that says you can enjoy your food at the Wine Co. if there's no seating at Troy (since Troy is super small...) So my boyfriend and I took our gyros and falafel over to sit and enjoy, and were sitting outside talking about how a nice glass of wine would probably go nicely with our food.... but then the owner came up and yelled at us to leave!
"This is NOT a picnic area!!!!! This is my business! You need to leave! You need to leave!" and then stormed inside without us even being able to ask or say anything!
I asked the ladies at Troy if the sign was still up to date or a new addition or what, and they said that they had had that agreement for YEARS!
I don't know what had crawled up her butt, but she definitely turned us off from even attempting to try Alameda Wine Co.Comment from Karen U. of Alameda Wine Co 8/28/2011
The sign at Troy clearly states a customer may enjoy their… More » -
Review from Martine F.
Ventura, CA
Updated - 12/29/2008
I just reread my review and realized that my "cheap wine" comment may be deceiving.... what I meant to say is the following:
Alameda Wine Co. has fantastic wine, champagne and snacks that are EXTREMELY REASONABLE.
I love this place, when my parents were visiting we took them for wine and snacks in lieu of a late lunch. They loved it - besides the wine and food they thought the decor was fantastic. I must admit I admire and wish I could have such a neat light display in my home... maybe one day.
The staff is very helpful and provides their expertise and recommendations whenever we need it.
The food menu also makes me feel very refined... I love all the different cheeses and they've got my favorite olive spread.
Thank you Alameda Wine Co.!!Listed in: Mon Voisinage
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/21/2008
Good cheap wine! Amazing how low their prices are! This is a fun place to sit and drink some wine or… Read more »
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Review from Mary Ann G.
San Leandro, CA
1/11/2010
What a great way to end the weekend!
When a good friend called me one sunny sunday afternoon in desperation to get out of San Leandro, he said something about a wine bar. Wha? I've gone wine tasting, but this is the first I've heard of a wine bar. I started searching nearby places and came upon Alameda Wine Co.
A quick trip down the freeway and we're there. There's a parking garage right around the corner for easy parking (it's also parking for the movie theater). When we walked in we were greeted by Karen (the owner) and we sat at a free standing bar. The menus are on the tables for you to peruse, you can order by the glass, a flight, or a whole bottle (corkage fee is 7.50, but is included in the price of the bottle on the menu). They have a good selection of cheeses and snacks you can order also. Karen knows a thing or five about her wines, so she can definitely help pick out a good one.
Overall this place rocks! I really have no complaints here, but if you have a large group come earlier than 4pm on the weekend to get a seat, this place gets hoppin' at night! -
Review from Burne D.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2008
Inexpensive good wine.
Tasty cheese.
What better way to prepare for a movie.
Not really sure what the other person doesn't get about the $5 corckage, this is pretty standard for these kind of places.
A good place to drink wine and eat cheese..... what else is there to do in life? -
Review from Stephanie C.
Alameda, CA
10/18/2008
I've read some of the reviews of this place and have tried this place a couple of times.
First, I will say that the owner is a bit sassy, and by her own description, "mouthy", however, I think this is part of the charm of the place. While she will relay little bits of her saga with getting her establishment up and running, she is also giving colorful recommendations for what kinds of wines she's pouring that week, giving you small tastes before you commit to a whole 3 or 6 oz pour. And again, I think the colorful conversation is part of the whole charm.
I have gone in a few times for a bit of a late lunch with the bar snacks she offers, including a couple of DELIGHTFUL choices from J.P Seafood, as well as different charcuteries (depending on what's available at the Saturday Farmers' Market) and cheeses. Each time I have gone, I have walked out of there full and tipsy.
Then there's the wine list - which is wonderfully progressive and affordable. I love that the Wine Co. offers 3 oz glasses so that you can construct your own wine flight. I like finding new finds and walking out with a few bottles that don't break my budget. (If you don't take into account that after I've "tasted" 4 wines, of COURSE I need to buy 7 bottles instead of just the one.)
But definitely a wonderful way to spend a Thursday afternoon - lunching and sipping and forgetting about all the work I'm putting off for the day.Listed in: My Neighborhood
