Openings

Monopole Wine Opens in Pasadena

Monopole Wine, a neighbor to Elements Kitchen, opened yesterday in Pasadena. This handsome store comes from Peter Nelson and Hiro Tamaki, two oenophiles new to the hospitality business. The duo took over 1,700-feet of a historic Prohibition-era building, adding rows of dark wood cabinets stocked with a personally curated selection of wines from around the globe, as well as a tasting bar for flights and focused tastings. Unlike the behemoth wine chains, this pair promises to have tasted every wine they sell to the point of intimate familiarity, but unlike some of the indie label stores out there, they still carry a selection well-balanced between small producers and names you might actually know. But if it’s there, there’s a reason for it, the store upholds as an informal philosophy. What’s happening in the loft?

Upstairs, the owners are renovating a loft space for regular classes (taught by Nelson), wine events, and occasional wine dinners, while you can expect Elements to provide catering there if you want to rent out the space for private events. Along with Monopole’s new digs, an accompanying wine store is under construction online, with a debut coming in the next few weeks, where all of its labels will be available. Until then, find them open on El Molino.

Monopole Wine, 21 S. El Molino Ave. Pasadena. 626-577-9463.

Monopole Wine Opens in Pasadena