January 3, 2023 – What do you crave? Single origin chocolate? Duck fat fries? Your grandmother’s shortbread cookies? A walk on the beach where people actually pick up after their dogs? A self-maintaining swimming pool? A version of Siri that actually understands you? A spell checker that doesn’t make you look like a moron?
The list is long. But sometimes, it’s very simple and succinct. For Mike Kohne and Maura Cooper of Crave Wine Bar & Shop in Hollister, they have been craving the simple act of finally being able to open their doors, officially, to the public.
It’s been a spell.
They began this project back in July of 2021, with high hopes and lots of energy and ambition to turn the property at 616 San Benito Street into a showplace for local wines and brews, along with a smattering of great deals from around the globe. But this is a historic building and they ran into more snags than a silk scarf in the aftermath of a Siamese cat.
They suffered setbacks due to confusingly mixed messages from authorities and that led to changes of direction: and then there were the bouts with Covid. And the endless lack of communication between entities that dragged out until they finally secured that ever-elusive building permit at the end of this past September. Then they could get all the plumbing, floors and walls installed, and put up all their cabinets and racking systems. And actually getting hot water to the bathrooms: no small feat in an old edifice.
During the “twilight zone” while they navigated the obtuse nature of bureaucracy, they took orders over the phone and online, and provided pickup and local delivery, encouraging Farmers Market shoppers to place orders for pickup on Wednesdays. It was something, but hardly enough to cover the rent on the 1,600 square foot space, of which approximately 1,200 is usable.
Finally, though, things came together. Kohne was ecstatic to finally unload the garage of all the tables and chairs that had been sitting there for well over a year.
They officially opened on December 28, and they plan to be open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11am to 6pm, with extended hours on Saturday and Sunday to 8pm. The license stipulates that no one under 21 is allowed on the premises, so this will be a kid-free zone.
Kohne—who has decades of experience in wine sales and marketing at places like Mercy Vineyards, Eden Rift and Diageo—says they plan to have a grand opening some time in January. And there will be plenty of events, including Thursday evening winery hosted tastings from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Among the January guest wineries will be Bernardus.
For now, the format is straightforward. They will have at least 10 wines by the glass, with 5 whites and 5 reds, plus rose and bubbles, all priced between $11 and $20/glass. “Likely we’ll have 14 to 15 wines open for by the glass pours,” says Kohne. “We are featuring local producers, but we also have imports as well, to provide diversity.” Check out the Aligote from Bourgogne and the Garrault Sancerre. They also have Olivier Leflaive white Burgundy: yum.
“Right now, we have Mayacamas and Ramey Chardonnay at the high end, along with some fun imports,” says Kohne. “We also pour Terraces Pinot Gris from Eden Rift and Ryan Stirm’s Calacite white blend.” They also proudly feature Calera, Chalone, Ser, Kobza, Morgan, Melville I. Brand wines. He says people are really liking Ian Brand’s Le P’tit Paysan Cabernet Sauvignon from Wheeler Vineyard in Tres Pinos, which is part of the Siletto Family’s holdings.
They also carry Deutz and Gimonnet Champagnes, along with Caraccioli and Gruet sparklings, plus CRU’s Albarino, Precedent Chenin Blanc from Massa Vineyard made by Nathan Kandler, and Bonny Doon’s Picpoul.
“We also have lots of local Pinots and local blends from people you’ve never heard of,” says Kohne. “There are perhaps six real wineries in the area that are not wedding venues. Did you know that 80% of grapes grown here leave the county? We want to shine a light on what leaves and how it’s reflecting quality of what’s being produced here.”
To make that easier, they have three different wine clubs, including The 20 Club, which focuses on wines sourced or vinified within a 20-ish mile radius of Hollister.
Alternatively, The Crave Club offers two bottles every other month for $44.99 and the Atlas Club features six bottles of treasures from around the globe, as well as local ones, three times yearly, for $199.99. Club members also receive discounts on tasting flights, food, wine by the glass as well as complimentary corkage. Any bottle can be purchased from the shelf and opened for a $15 corkage fee.
CRAVE also stocks a dozen beers in cans and bottle, plus non-alcoholic beverages, and a selection of vintage Ports. “We carry selections you will not find in a grocery store,” promises Kohne.
For food, they will serve charcuterie boards, and they are working with local chefs to do more elevated offerings. There are three different seating areas inside, including high tops, a bar that can seat 10, lounge type furniture in the front and low profile chairs. The capacity is about 40 total seated. While there is no outdoor seating right now, Kohne says it will come eventually. In fact, he hopes to be open 7 days a week once summer comes.
Stay tuned for the events that Crave plans to hold later this month. They are just getting started, but they’ve had a long time to plan for this very craveable moment.
Crave Wine Bar & Shop is located at 616 San Benito Street in Hollister. cravewineco.com
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
