Caroline Klidonas is an actor, content creator, and wine lover based in Los Angeles. Across Instagram and TikTok, she blurs the line between satire and sincerity with video parodies of hospitality culture and film tropes. This winter, our list is inspired by her online persona, the “guy at the local wine shop who absolutely loves his job.” Each wine corresponds to one of his suggestions, and we’ve identified them all with the quote that served as our point of departure. Join us all season long to assess his picks, and follow our collaborator’s hilarious work: @carolineklidonas.
We also offer fabulous cocktails, suds, ciders, and soft drinks! Follow this link for a look at the full bottle list. We allow corkage for a $50 fee with a strictly enforced limit of one bottle per table.
If you’re looking to stock your home cellar, there’s an even broader selection available through our Wine Store. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or special requests.
WINTER WITH @CAROLINEKLIDONAS:
FEATURING “GUY AT THE LOCAL WINE SHOP
WHO ABSOLUTELY LOVES HIS JOB”
fizz
Pétillant Naturel Malvasia Bianca, Birichino, Monterey, California, 2023 -22/88-
Does he prefer a firm mattress or a soft mattress? . . . I discovered this wine while stargazing in an open-concept barn.
white
Palomino Fino En Rama, “Tosca,” Mario Rovira, Cádiz, Spain, 2023 -18/72-
Now, when you say “crisp,” are you speaking autumnally? . . . This wine's the reason I dropped out of grad school, for better or worse.
Txakoli de Álava, “Xarmant,” Artomaña Txakolina, País Vasco, Spain, 2024 -16/64-
If you really want to score some points, you can say something like: I prefer a coastal throughline in my wines.
Chardonnay, Private Property, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 2022 -21/84-
Now, I’m keen to stick with tradition here. I’ve got a gorgeous Chardonnay waiting in the wings, alright! Award winner!
Saumur Blanc Saint Cyr en Bourg, Arnaud Lambert, Saumur, France, 2021 -15/60-
Chenin Blanc standard bearer: All racy acid and fleshy orchard fruit
orange
Sipon, “The Prince,” Matic, Stajerska, Slovenia, 2024 -18/72-
You came in looking for a gift for your fiancée. We went with that funky little skin contact number.
Pinot Gris, Weingut Friedrich Becker, Pfalz, Germany, 2022 -19/76-
Because this wine - it shouldn’t exist, really. It's in a liminal space, but there’s a minerality on the back end that grounds it. And that's what always keeps me coming back to her.
pink
Trollinger Blend Rosé, “Rose Gold,” Leon Gold, Baden, Germany, 2024 - 1L -15/75-
Breezy. Crowdpleaser. So smooth, you blink, and she’s gone. Enough luminosity in there, though, in my opinion, that she still keeps the night interesting.
red
Rotburger Blend, “Puszta Libre!,” Claus Preisinger, Burgenland, Austria, 2023 - chilled -19/76-
The wine that I’m thinking of is really just flirting with the idea of being a red . . . She also got me through the worst heartbreak of my 20s.
Pinot Noir, “Gillot,” Kühling-Gillot, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2023 -20/80-
A red for an intimate friendsgiving . . . You into whimsy? She’s fruit-forward. Juicier than the latest gossip column. But it’s more than that . . .
Freisa Blend, “GioGio,” Summer Wolff, Piedmont, Italy, 2023 -22/88-
Her notes move like a really good conversation. She lulls. She banters without missing a beat. She says something provocative you’re still thinking about later.
Grenache Blend, “Tête-à-Tête,” Domaine de la Terre Rouge, Sierra Foothills, California, 2016 -21/84-
She slows the evening down. She’s satin on the skin. The last time I had this wine, I ended up eating prosciutto on a rooftop at 3 am over a very intimate game of backgammon.
Madiran, “Vieilles Vignes,” Laffitte-Teston, Gascony, France, 2020 -20/80-
That wine needs a moment to read the room. Worth the wait, though. After that, she’s gorgeous.
BILL GOES ROGUE
fizz
Gamay Blend Pétillant Naturel Rosé, “Rosa Rose Rosam,” La Grange Tiphaine, Touraine, France, 2022 -19/76-
The quintessential pink pét nat from the First Couple of Montlouis
Lambrusco Emilia, Folicello, Emilia Romagna, Italy, 2023 -17/68-
The beer of wines, fresh, crunchy, and herbal
white
Müller Thurgau, Kellerei Bozen, Alto Adige, Italy, 2024 -17/68-
As bright as a winter morning and as fresh as an alpine meadow
Albariño, “Lías Finas,” Attis, Rías Baixas, Spain, 2024 -21/84-
Wintery, Rubenesque riff on the ubiquitous Galician crowdpleaser
Saumur Blanc Saint Cyr en Bourg, Arnaud Lambert, Saumur, France, 2021 -15/60-
Chenin Blanc standard bearer: All racy acid and fleshy orchard fruit
orange
Rosa del Perú, “Amphora Orange,” Viña Cordelia, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, 2023 -21/84-
Savory unicorn from south of the border that honors Mexico’s long history with the vine
Trebbiano Blend, “Rigomale,” Forestieri, Tuscany, Italy, 2022 -19/76-
Citrus forward, amphora-aged orange with impeccable natty wine credentials
Rkatsiteli Blend, Do Re Mi, Kakheti, Georgia, 2023 -21/84-
DRIED APRICOT ALERT! Experience 8,000 years of wine history in a single glass!
pink
Cannonau Rosato, “Brulleri,” Osvaldo Soddu, Sardinia, Italy, 2022 -18/72-
Herbal vin gris that's every bit as rare as it is beguiling
Cabernet Franc Rosé, Apollo’s Praise, Finger Lakes, New York, 2024 -18/72-
Herbaceous red adjacent rosé from our favorite FLX husband and wife winemaking team
red
Gamay, “Volcanique,” Verdier-Logel, Pays Centre, France, 2023 -17/68-
Very cool kid stuff: Bold cherries, dark minerals, and great acidity
Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux, “Les Hélices,” Château Les Vieux Moulins, Bordeaux, France, 2020 -18/72-
omfortable enough in its own power to exert that authority with abiding grace
Saperavi, Pheasant’s Tears, Kakheti, Georgia, 2023 -21/84-
Old-fashioned methods, au courant end product from the foremost American champion of Georgian wine
Tinta de Toro, “Corral de Companas,” Quinta de la Quietud, Toro, Spain, 2023 -18/72-
Tengo un toro que me da . . . a decadent red from the dusty, arid heart of Spain
NERD ALERT (resinated, oxidized, & parallel ferment)
Assyrtiko, “Nimbus Ritinitis,” Kamara, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2024 -24/96-
Hipster somm mike drop that's every bit as refreshing as it is offbeat
Rancio Sec, “L’Ancêtre,” Domaine Fontanel, Roussillon, France, 2007 -21/84-
Exotically spiced, persistent paean to wine of antiquity with an unmistakable goût du soleil
Junmai Genshu Sake, “In Mankai,” Mukai Shuzo, Kyoto, Japan -21/84-
Savory sweet umami bomb that oozes pairing potential: Who knew sake came in pink?!
TREAT YO’ SELF
fizz: Champagne Premier Cru Brut, “Les Nouveaux Explorateurs,” Fresne Ducret, Montagne de Reims, France, NV -20/40/160- (half/full/bottle)
Bone dry grower bubbles offer a well-deserved star turn to Champagne's third wheel
white: Marsannay Blanc, “Les Étalles,” Patrick Maroiller & Fils, Burgundy, France, 2022 -22/44/276-
Luxurious archetype of French grandeur from the Golden Gate to the Côte d’Or
red: Barolo, Silvio Grasso, Piedmont, Italy, 2021 -16/32/128-
A delightfully approachable take on the King of Wines, the quintessential precocious, perfumed La Morra
red: Malbec, Finca Adalgisa, Mendoza, Argentina, 2018 -21/42/168-
THE ARGENTINE MALBEC BY WHICH TO JUDGE ALL OTHERS: as urbane as it is brawny
COCKTAIL HOUR
spritz -17-
Laughing Heart - rum milk punch, Prosecco, hazy IPA
Lambrusco Spritz - Brusco, Angostura Amaro, orange
The Champagne of Beers . . . Spiked - Miller High Life with Amaro Ciociaro
apéritif -17-
Rosés Are Red - Cab Franc, Campari, vermouth, rhubarb bitters, Prosecco
Julia Child’s Martini - white & dry vermouth, gin, lemon
proper cocktails
Queen of the Dead - mezcal, Cointreau, Cocchi Americano, lemon -19-
Afterthought - cachaça, passionfruit liqueur, Centerbe Faccia Brutto, lime -18-
Practical Magic - rye, fig leaf, sherry, Eden Orleans Bitter, lemon -19-
Quantum of Solace - Tanqueray 10, mezcal, Cocchi Americano, lemon express
Espresso Martini à la Americano - vodka, cold brew, PX Sherry, salted Demerara syrup -17-
Charlotte’s Old Fashioned - Johnny Drum Bourbon, hickory, autumnal spices -17-
sans spirits -13-
Pathfinder Daiquiri - The Pathfinder N/A Aperitif, lime, simple
Ramble On - apple cider, elderflower, vanilla, ginger
Moon River - fig leaf, Lucano Zero, club soda
Secret Snack - lemon, olive brine, celery soda
