Posts tagged k&l wine merchants
Inside Vietti’s 2021 Barolo Crus

Few estates in Piedmont occupy the rarefied position that Vietti holds today. Founded in the late 19th century in Castiglione Falletto, Vietti has long been both a guardian of tradition and a catalyst for progress, helping to define how the world understands Barolo and Barbaresco. Decades before single‑vineyard bottlings became the norm, Vietti was already isolating and elevating individual crus, insisting that Barolo was not a monolith but a mosaic of distinct sites. That conviction—paired with meticulous farming, sensitive winemaking, and an unerring sense of balance—has made Vietti one of the great reference-point producers of Piedmont.

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Cerbaiona Joins K&L Direct Imports: A Cult Brunello di Montalcino Producer

I’m honored to welcome the cult Brunello di Montalcino estate Cerbaiona to our Direct Import portfolio. Located on a prestigious Galestro ridge in Montalcino, Cerbaiona is world-renowned for its high-altitude elegance and uncompromising traditional winemaking. This is a massive milestone for our Direct Import program. In the world of Montalcino, Cerbaiona is one of those names that collectors and buyers discuss in hushed, reverent tones. As the national buyer for Italian wine, I have spent years tracking this estate, and bringing it into our DI portfolio is a career highlight.

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Celebrating 50 Years of K&L

This year, we have the great honor of celebrating K&L’s 50th anniversary! Back on New Year’s Eve 1976, when K&L Liquors opened its doors in Milbrae, it’s hard to imagine that owners Todd Zucker and Clyde Beffa would have had any idea the longevity, not to mention the impact, that their small business has enjoyed. From selling cigarettes and Everclear to becoming one of the preeminent Bordeaux merchants on the West Coast, K&L has been able to stay nimble as times change, while still offering affordable prices and exceptional quality.

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State of K&L: A Turbulent but Resilient 2025, and a Golden Anniversary

I’m still a bit in disbelief at what K&L has accomplished this past year. We refocused on building genuine connections with our clients and our products, launching two new tent events, hosting more tastings than ever before, presenting signature winery dinners, and rolling out our on-demand Open Cellar program. In that same spirit of investing in our clients, we delivered container after container of tariffed pre-arrival commitments without charging anything beyond the original purchase price.

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New Discoveries, Tent Events, and the Best White Wines for Fall

This month at K&L brings no shortage of excitement—from the debut of the Italian Discovery Series to the return of our Champagne Tent Event in Redwood City and Hollywood. We’re also spotlighting late-summer whites from Alsace, Germany, and Austria, and our Open Cellar lineup updates—your chance to taste incredible bottles by the glass in-store. There’s plenty to discover this month, and we’re thrilled to share it all with you.

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100 Years of Rioja

Rioja is one of the most historic—and dynamic—wine regions, beloved by collectors around the world. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the formal establishment of the appellation, which has continued to evolve in recent years with exciting new projects and ventures. In many ways, modern-day Rioja is where the past, the present, and the future come together in dynamic fashion.

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What’s New for September: Bourbon, Bordeaux, Brunello

September brings another packed lineup of news and offers from K&L: our Top Ten Picks of the month, a tariff update and what it means for our customers, the much-anticipated 2020 Brunello arrivals, a standout Compass Box three-pack, and new Discovery Series arrivals. Here’s everything you’ll want to know this month.

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Our New Discovery Series - Wines Worth Discovering

The K&L Discovery Series is a curated collection of wines selected by our expert buying team to spotlight what we believe are the hidden gems, overlooked vintages, and exceptional expressions worth discovering in today’s wine world.

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Fan-Favorite from New Zealand Te Whare Ra Is Back!

For the past several weeks, I’ve noticed customers scanning the New Zealand racks, asking the same questions: “Are they back in stock yet? Do you know when they’ll be here?” As the newly minted buyer for the Southern Hemisphere, I was intrigued. What are these Te Whare Ra wines everyone has been asking for?

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Open Cellar: What’s New for August

Eight exciting new wines will be open and available to taste for the month of August, including the likes of the world’s most epic sweet wine producer, red wine from one of Burgundy’s top Grand Crus, and one of our newest batch of Anonymous wines to taste before you buy. Check out the full line-up at somm.klwines.com or read on for the new list of world-class wines and what will be leaving at the end of July.

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“Overall quality has never been more consistent.” Discover Bordeaux’s next chapter… 

From top-performing sub-$50 values to cellar-worthy icons from benchmark vintages, this Bordeaux roundup showcases the full depth and diversity of the region. You'll find Left Bank stars from 2016 and 2019, rare mature releases, a compelling new discovery in Bordeaux Blanc, and a powerful case for the greatness of 2022. We've also released our 2024 Bordeaux Vintage Report, highlighting the most recent growing season's challenges and charms. There’s never been a better time to rediscover Bordeaux’s dynamic landscape—both on the page and in your glass.

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