California Wine and Cheese in Monrovia, CA | Food and Wine | California Catalog

California Wine and Cheese was created to highlight the undiscovered gold of California. Our focus is on California produced wines and cheeses from around the world, as well as California specialties like chocolates, olive oils and a variety of gourmet food and wine country gift items.
Wines are produced in California that express our varied climate and topography. Many of the wines are unique to California because of this terroir. But beyond the great California styles, there are wines which artfully mimic the classic old world wines; Bourdeaux and Burgundy of France, Sangiovese blends of Northern Italy, Tempranillos and Garnachas of the Iberian Pennisula, along with Rieslings and Gewurztraminers of Germany and Austria.
Today, California artisan and farmstead cheese makers are crafting creamy soft cheeses, washed rind cheeses, a variety of blues and many others, all sourced from cows, sheep and goats. Like the wine, these cheeses will be available both in the shop or to go, and we often have small samples out for nibbling.
The Shop. We offer Wine 101 classes at various times during the year. These classes focus on the basics of wine tasting and sensory evaluation, as well as the characteristics of various wines and their relationship to “Old World” wines of Europe. Periodically, we also offer special guided tastings where opportunities for enhancing your wine knowledge are hosted by our resident “Wine Geek.” Beyond these learning opportunities, we host a Winemaker generally once a month and provide an opportunity to sample their wines and ask questions about the art, science and magic of going from grape to wine.
Tastings. One of the best ways to explore wines and find new favorites is at a wine tasting bar. At our bar there will always be at least eight to ten wines available by the pour (1.5 oz) or by the glass (5 oz). Tasting is available whenever the shop is open (although we stop pouring 30 minutes before closing). Each Friday, a new line-up of wines is offered for tasting. There will always be 9-10 wines available for tasting. The wines are generally grouped in two flights, one red and one white. The wines in each flight are usually all of the same varietal or from the same winery. You have the option of buying a flight in order to sample and compare each of the four or five wines in the group, or pick and choose wines from the flight either by the pour or the glass. We hope that by exploring a variety of wines, you expand your knowledge and enjoyment of wine.
We are pleased to welcome everyone to stop by during our regular hours for a tasting.