Our work ethic is rooted in hospitality and we believe that this forms the foundation for any guest facing business. It's also essential to cultivate a culture of community where everyone should feel welcome. We believe in keeping wine fun, free of pretension, and having it be a part of our daily lives. Wine has the incredible ability to invoke memories and experiences from last week or ten years ago, to elevate food, and to celebrate one another.
While you can order wine online, it'll be more fun to come and visit us at the shop. Stop in for a glass and some Walter time. He needs to pay his bills somehow...
We also have a wine bar & coffee shop in the same space called Upwell so you can get something delicious all day long.
West Seattle is our home, it's our favorite part of Seattle, and it's where our friends and family are. We wanted to create a space that fuses all that we love to do - cooking, eating, drinking, conversing, and teaching people about wine in a comfortable space.
Over the past twenty-five years Chris has held a variety of positions including dishwasher, sous chef, server, wine director, sommelier, general manager, import portfolio manager, chief instructor, consultant, and executive director. He earned a Master Sommelier credential in 2013 and is now one of the most respected educators in the international world of wine. Chris’ passion for hospitality from his years in restaurants forms the foundation for his approach to business, mentorship, and vision for the future of beverage. Since traveling the globe constantly for years, he has put down roots in West Seattle to become a part of its business community for the remainder of his career.
After attending culinary school Rose spent a year living abroad in England and Scotland for an internship before moving to New York City to cook with Tom Colicchio at the iconic Gramercy Tavern for several years. Rosanne moved to Chicago where she worked at Avenues restaurant in the famed Peninsula Hotel with Graham Eliott, and the Washington state native moved back home to Seattle to help open up multiple new spots including Little Uncle, Stateside, and Foreign National, before becoming a private chef to a top tech and philanthropy family.
Chris has a rich background in education and regularly teaches beverage classes at Walter's Wine Shop. Topics will generally focus on wine regions from around the world but may also dip into coffee, spirits, sake, beer, and whatever else strikes his fancy.
Drop in tastings most Tuesdays from 5-7pm
Upcoming schedule:
September 3rd - California legends
September 10th - Rootdown wines
Wine classes every other Wednesday from 7-8
Upcoming schedule:
September 25th - Olfactory training with PJ Alaimo
October 8 - Topic coming soon!
October 23rd - Macerated styles: Orange & Pink!
Chris has traveled to wine regions all over the world and in the adventure found a plethora of unexpectedly delicious wines that will guide you to new & familiar places alike. We have options for all budgets and drinking frequencies ranging from 2 to 6 bottle packs. Want a personally curated experience? Chris can do that too!
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