Cheers! Here's to Exceptional Wines to Savor Solo or Pair with Food

One of America's largest wine cellars puts big emphasis on small producers

Murray Circle's wine cellar is among the most extensive in the U.S. The stellar collection, when fully assembled by Wine Director Dan O'Brien, will feature over 13,000 bottles and 2,000 labels. These carefully-chosen offerings represent a range of wine styles, vintages, price points and regions -- from internationally-renowned producers to small estates showcasing the fruit of a single acclaimed vineyard. Our intention is to honor and support the producers and regions of the world that give their heart and soul through the expressions of the wine they produce. More than just a labor of love for these independent growers and vintners, winemaking is a livelihood as well.

Reflecting Cavallo Point's location at the gateway of California's North Coast wine country, about half of our collection focuses on small domestic growers and producers, primarily from California and particularly those who are mindful of sustainable farming practices. The other half features intriguing international offerings from other acclaimed wine-growing areas. In France, these include Bordeaux, Champagne, Alsace, the Rhône and Provence. Italy's food-friendly wines are well-represented. So are varieties from other European wine-growing areas of Spain, Germany, Austria and Portugal. Southern Hemisphere selections, including those from Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, round out the collection and enable guests to savor many taste profiles.

The wine list has been designed to be accessible, thought-provoking and encourage conversation, thus heightening the guest experience. Moreover, the collection is priced to provide excellent value, so guests can drink fine wines at affordable prices. As Wine Director Dan O'Brien notes, Cavallo Point "is in the business of selling wine, not storing it." This approach, which pairs an exciting selection with good value, encourages guests to be adventuresome and makes the experience more enjoyable.

Murray Circle wine list offers new twists and tastes versus traditional presentations. The list begins with a worldwide selection of over 30 wines by the glass. The following "dedication page" showcases a small list and flight of a specific producer, winemaker, vineyard or vigneron; this page changes weekly. Next is a market list presenting 100 selections of new producers, interesting varietals, and up-and-coming appellations from around the world. These wines are grouped by flavor profile and priced under $100.

The main body of the list contains over 2,000 selections of the world's finest and rarest wines. This section features well thought out verticals of the best vintages available and lengthy horizontals of top producers. Large format and half bottles give guests further choices.

A native of Rhode Island, Wine Director Dan O'Brien is a product of the Providence restaurant scene. In the wine industry for over a decade, Dan's enthusiasm for wine grew along with his exposure to it, working first as bar manager and bartender, then as wine steward and wine manager. During that time, he also did consulting and put together a number of wine programs for leading restaurants in the Boston area. Dan says a particular pleasure is to highlight impossible-to-get producers and vintages from all over the world, and sharing these special finds with guests.