Now open in SoMa is DECANTSF, a chic wine shop and tasting bar from Advanced Sommelier Cara Patricia and Certified Sommelier Simi Grewal. And folks who loved the space when it was City Beer Store (which has moved a few blocks away) will be happy to know there are plenty of beers and ciders to try as well.
The space has gotten quite the update from ROY, now much airier and lighter, with white tiles, white oak wooden shelves, some touches of pink, plants, brass lighting fixtures, and chic seating at the tasting bar. It feels very California, and will be a fun place to unwind.
If you’re just running to a dinner party (or to your own abode!) and need to pick something up, there’s a quick-grab cart featuring bottles $25 and under. Head over to the shelves for more of the mid- to high-priced wines, from well-known producers to plenty of lesser-known wines too, and I was happy to see an entire area dedicated to Champagne and sparklers.
There’s a pink neon “Drink For Yourself” sign, and you’ll also see it above the three refrigerators that are full of cheeses, charcuterie, chilled wines, and beers. Cara and Simi are there to act as in-house sommeliers, guiding you to the glass or bottle you’ll be happy with, and without any attitude, whether you’re new to wine or quite the oenophile. They even request wine reps to bring their wines in for tastings brown-bagged and to only tell them the price and region—the ladies really want to focus on what tastes great, and not be swayed by reputation or a cute wine label (or an ugly one, for that matter).
You can come in for a glass or two (there are eight to choose from), but an option they want to encourage is for people to buy a bottle and enjoy it, even an expensive one, without the usual mark-up. You can buy a bottle at retail, and just pay $12 for corkage (if it’s $75 or over, you pay just $8 to crack it open). So that glass of Azul y Garanza garnacha rosé on the list is $10 by the glass, but you can open a bottle off the shelf for $14 plus $12, so $26. Yeah, that is my kind of math. (Beers/ciders are $2 to buy retail and open in-house, or $4 if 22 oz. or over.)
There’s also a DIY aspect to the snacks. You can choose a couple artisan cheeses and meats from the refrigerators, and they’ll unwrap and plate them with accoutrements (like mostarda and crackers) for $7. (So, you’re eating for yourself too.) Or, just grab some to bring home.
DecantSF is also offering unique wine club memberships (check out the Self-Care Club), weekly tastings, educational courses (including cheese and beer!), and Sommelier Sundays as things ramp up.
Open Tue-Thu 11:30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm, and Sun 12pm-8pm. 1168 Folsom St. at 8th St., 415-913-7256.
