San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Urban winery branches out with new tasting room
Carruth Cellars has returned to Little Italy with a new tasting room on the first floor of the boutique Carté Hotel.
The Solana Beach-based winery previously had a wine garden and tasting room in Little Italy but closed that location earlier this year. The new space is at 401 West Ash Street, a coveted spot in the vibrant neighborhood.
It’s the latest venture for the urban winery, which brings grapes grown in the Northern California countryside to its winemaking facility near the San Diego coast.
Each year after harvest season, the fruit is transported to the company’s production facility in Solana Beach, where the grapes are de-stemmed, crushed, fermented, aged (for up to three years) and bottled.
Adam Carruth — a San Diego native who started making wine in his backyard in 2006 — has led his company to exciting growth over the past several years.
Carruth’s first tasting room opened in Solana Beach in 2010. In addition to that location and the one in Little Italy, the company now has tasting rooms in Liberty Station, Carlsbad and Oceanside, where it also has a production space.
Because Carruth doesn’t own a vineyard, the company isn’t tied to one type of wine or grape, said Emily Tomkins, who manages the tasting rooms. She said each offers a selection of red and white wines by the bottle and glass, as well as a taste flight for people who want to try more than one pour. Bottles range from $35 to $60.
At the Little Italy space, food from Carté’s restaurant is also available, including burgers, poke, charcuterie boards and more.
“We’re bringing these high-quality fruits from (Sonoma County),” Tomkins said. “If you can’t afford to go to Sonoma but want to get into wine, this is a good way to do it.”