Wally’s Wine Los Angeles
An Afternoon of Discovery: Wally’s at Santa Monica LA
Our adventure began one afternoon when curiosity led us to this unique establishment. Walking through the door, we were greeted by literally a bucketload of wine. The shop itself was empty, but the walls were full of wine. The wines stood like artworks on pristine walls, patiently awaiting their moment in the spotlight.
So what’s the story behind this place?
In 1968, Wally’s was founded. The initial idea was to be the favorite liquor store of the neighborhood. Little did they know that this business would grow into a destination for unique and top-quality products from all over the world. Wally’s has transformed itself into a one-stop-shop for all things that are delicious, and wine is definitely one of them. They sell more than 120 wines by the glass, and over 8,000 wines by the bottle.
As we were walking through the endless walls of wine we discovered a curated collection ranging from modest selections at 30 dollars to the extravagant, priced at several thousands of dollars. The diversity was astounding – wines from the old-world vineyards of France to the bold and innovative blends from the new world. Each bottle, a testament to the craftsmanship of winemakers across the globe.
An Evening of Bustling Symphony: The Gallery Comes to Life
Eager to experience Wally’s in a different light, we returned later in the evening, stepping into a transformed ambiance. The serene space from that afternoon had morphed into a lively symphony of clinking glasses and animated conversations. The gallery had come to life, each table now a canvas for the vibrant stories the wines had to tell.
Wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs, and casual drinkers alike filled the space, creating a tapestry of laughter and shared moments. The atmosphere was electric, as the knowledgeable staff guided patrons through the extensive selection, recommending hidden gems and rare finds.
The transformation from a serene gallery to a bustling hive of wine lovers highlighted the versatility of this exceptional establishment. It was as if the wines had come alive, their tales interwoven with the stories of the people who gathered to enjoy them.
All of the 8,000 wines that are in the shop are also available at dinner and they ask a small surcharge, which in my opinion makes this place super attractive for the more expensive wines.
Our choice of the night? A 2009 Contrarian by Blackbird Vineyards.
As we found ourselves surrounded by all sorts of people attached to the wonderful world of wine, we enjoyed a bottle of Contrarian. This wine is made by Blackbird Vineyards, and the Contrarian is the darkest and most dense of the Blackbird series.
It is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, and has a bit of Cabernet Franc and Merlot in there as well. This combination creates an amazing aromatic richness alongside some very bold tannins. So what do you get? This wine is bursting with black fruits, vanilla, nutmeg, toffee, forest floor and some cherry. Because of its age it also showed us some notes of black truffle, mushroom and a bit of cocoa. It has an extremely long finish that just keeps reminding you of how amazing this wine is.
For me this is one of the reasons why I am falling more and more in love with Napa Bordeaux-blends. The wines are just so intense and so full-bodied. Stunning!
It sets you back more than a hundred euros, but that is totally worth it.
