It's Wine Time: San Diego Cellars Opens in Little Italy

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What's the wine equivalent of a growler of beer? San Diego Cellars, a new urban winery that soft opens today in Little Italy, calls their refillable wine bottles "cruisers".

You can fill your cruiser with any of the five wines currently on tap at the Kettner Street tasting room and kitchen, made by co-owner and resident winemaker, Todd Hipper, that range from a viognier/chardonnay blend to a pinot noir rosé and a San Diego County syrah. For your beer friends, a few local beers will always be on tap.

The wine list will vary, and include other local vintners, though only San Diego Cellars' bottles will be available for retail purchases. For on-site drinking, tasting flights are $10 for six pours, or you can choose a glass or bottle to pair with the kitchen's menu. For now, there are cheese plates, charcuterie boards and salads, but the offerings will expand to include bruschetta and flatbreads.

From the tasting room's back patio, you can watch the grapes make their transition into wine; Hipper plans to hold classes next wine-making season and has been discussing a collaboration with new neighbors Ballast Point Brewing Company. Current operating hours are 3 to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

· San Diego Cellars [Official Site]
· All Eater Inside Coverage [~ESD~]