Chronicle Wine Celler

The Chronicle Wine Cellar is tucked back behind a diner in Pasadena and has the feel of poking around a friend's spare bedroom (that he's converted to show hundreds of bottles of wine). Without all the frills, Chronicle manages to sell very well selected bottles at a reasonable price.

The store is the legacy of a now-closed restaurant famous for its wine cellar. There are still some vintage bottles left from that original collection, though most of their stock is recently purchased.

Real oenophiles will enjoy the selection of familiar California wines but in a little less common vintages. And they have a decent selection of Old World favorites from France, Italy, and Spain.

Don't be freaked out when they make you charge your credit card at the Pie 'n' Burger. It's part of the quirky charm.

PROS: Cheap, Excellent choices
CONS: Small, hard to find

Posted 11/02/05 | Report Abuse

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Chronicle Wine Cellar is hard to find and only accepts cash, but is worth the trip if you're looking for a great selection of wines at reasonable prices. The staff is friendly and extremely willing to help you choose the wine for you. In addition they often have wine available for tasting.

PROS: Good selection
CONS: Cash only

Posted 09/13/05 | Report Abuse

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