Charlotte Randolf (Instagram)
Wine, Restaurant, North Park

Speaking of Wine…

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

Now is the time to start thinking about where to wine shop for your holiday soirees and gift-giving, assuming you are intent on pulling unique picks out of your sleeve. In doing so, we turned to Michelin’s esteemed sommelier, Charlotte Randolf who serves as wine director at the Black Radish in North Park.

The Bankers Hill resident was named Sommelier of the Year in 2021 by Michelin, so it should come as no surprise that she recommends skipping the grocery stores and big wine outlets for curating a diverse, stimulating home inventory.

“Don’t hesitate to engage with your neighborhood wine purveyors,” she said. “Seek their advice when looking for wines that offer both value and quality. By doing so, you’ll often discover hidden gems that will enhance your holiday celebrations.”

Her vetted picks for local wine shopping are: Vino Carta in Little Italy, The Rose in South Park, Village Vino in Kensington, Mission Bay Beach Club in Mission Beach, and Bird Rock Fine Wines in La Jolla. And yes, you can score some luscious offerings at these places starting at $25 a bottle.