Today we’d like to introduce you to Serge Chable.
Serge, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Grew up in the restaurant business, started in the kitchen and paid bills through college. Started Front of house, serving, in 1989 and kept getting betting jobs. I wore my first tux in 1992 and had to learn wine. Moved to Hawaii and got my wine groove on.
Came back to San Diego and worked at some great Restaurants where I had to know my stuff just get hired. Passed level 1 Court of Masters in 2010 and took Certified Sommelier Test in 2011 and passed. Me and my brother bought The Wine Lover 6 years ago.
Now I enjoy the wine business on a different level… Getting people to drink great wine and not be afraid. We are on the front-line of getting guests to stop drinking crappy wine! That’s is that. Hope to publish my wine life soon.
Has it been a smooth road?
Always struggles!! Paying bills suck. Wine is a small margin compared to booze and we don’t have a kitchen. We master the cheese plate and wine knosh. Anything that comes up beyond the budget has to be dealt with. Buying a place that was run down has its pitfalls. Refrigeration, HVAC, other maintenance to make The Wine Lover home to our guests. After 6 years we are getting it down.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Wine Lover – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We love to turn our guests on to a great wine they have never had. Our wine list changes seasonally and whats available. We get a lot of wine straight from the winery and have worked hard to foster relationships with the winemakers and vineyard owners.
Since I am a Certified Sommelier that works all the time, we have extended our business to the private sector, private wine parties, corporate events, managing cellars, and buying wine for those who need it. We also bring in people in the business to hang with our guests on special occasions.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Come on now!! San Diego is the best place to live!! It’s just been mismanaged and it sucks when other parts of our city get to grow and Hillcrest is being left behind, Seems we can’t tie our own shoes sometimes.
Pricing:
- We Have glasses ranging from 7-14$
- Bottle shop from 25-200$
- Events range from 35-60$ depending on wines and food
Contact Info:
- Website: TheWineLoverSd.com
- Phone: 6192949200
- Email: serge@thewineloversd.com
- Instagram: The Wine Lover
- Facebook: The Wine Lover
- Twitter: The Wine Lover
- Yelp: The Wine Lover
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
