Yesterday’s grand opening of Total Wine in Palm Desert marked a new day for
the valley’s wine scene. The wine superstore, which began with two Delaware
wine stores opened by brothers David and Robert Trone in 1991, now counts over
90 stores across more than 15 states nationwide. Until yesterday, the closest Total Wine location was Rancho Cucamonga.
Total Wine Palm Desert’s store manager Scott Perry, left,
smiles as a check
placard is presented to the Barbara Sinatra Children’s
Center.
“This area is just not as seasonal anymore,” said store
manager Scott Perry. Total Wine saw the Coachella Valley as a year-round
destination, he added. When asked what sets Total Wine apart from
other retailers, he replied with one word: service.
“Our wine team, all my employees, are very educated about
wine. They all have a passion for wine, the beer staff a passion for beer,
spirits too,” he said.
Perry notes that staff members are not only highly trained, but
they’re also encouraged to always learn, taste and try new things. Ongoing
tastings and training about what’s new in the world of adult beverages is part of Total Wine’s staff
development efforts.
The store plans to share some of this knowledge with the
community through its tastings and educational classes. Tastings will be held
at the Desert Crossings location on Friday, Saturday and Sunday every weekend.
Classes will be held about twice monthly, with Wine 101 scheduled for July as
an introductory class for people new to, or curious about wine.
Thursday’s grand opening gave patrons a chance to tour the
enormous facility, which includes a tasting room, classroom and row upon row of
neatly stacked wine, beer and spirits from around the world. Joseph Wagner, son
of iconic Caymus winemaker Chuck Wagner, was eager to pour and autograph bottles
from the Wagners’ Mer Soleil, Silver, Conundrum, Belle Glos, Meiomi and Caymus labels.
A couple thousand bottles away, wines from Italy took center
stage inside the handsome tasting room. Tasters enjoyed samples of Moscato d’Asti,
Vermentino from Sardegna, Chianti Classico Reserva and other reds from Villa
Antinori, Falesco and Tignanello.
Palm Desert mayor Jan Harnik and Palm Desert Chamber of
Commerce Chairman Dave Mourhess were on hand to welcome the new business to
their city. In a big hello to the community at the opening presentation, Total Wine presented a $10,000 donation for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.
While most shoppers and visitors seemed energized to explore
the new store’s massive selections, a few felt overwhelmed by all the choices. “I
wouldn’t know where to begin here,” chuckled one Rancho Mirage resident. Almost
on cue, a Total Wine staff member approached the man to ask what he liked and began
to offer suggestions.
To narrow my choices among the sea of bottles, I went for
wines I’ve wanted to try but can be hard to find: a Norton from Virginia and a
Grillo-Inzolia blend from Sicily. Were you looking for that too? The user-friendly Total Wine website will help you locate the white blend on Aisle 16, on the right.
Only 7,998 bottles to go.
