Anniversaries

Renowned Berkeley Wine Importer Kermit Lynch Celebrates 40 Years in Business

Lynch's longtime retail store on San Pablo Avenue.
Lynch’s longtime retail store on San Pablo Avenue. Photo: via 7x7

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Chez Panisse, and this year marks the 40th birthday of another Berkeley business that grew symbiotically with the restaurant, Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant (1605 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley). He’s the man responsible for importing Alice Waters’s favorite Bandol rosé year after year, and he’s now a nationally recognized importer and curator of European wines. In 2000 he won the Wine Professional of the Year honor from the James Beard Foundation, and he’s published two books, Adventures on the Wine Route (still in print after 21 years) and Inspiring Thirst. Lynch will be having an anniversary event on October 27 at the store, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in which he’ll be “in conversation” with Christopher Lee from Chez Panisse, and neighbor Suzanne Drexhage who recently took over the Café Fanny space and opened Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar. Stop by and use it as an excuse to pick up some good rosé. [7x7]

Renowned Berkeley Wine Importer Kermit Lynch Celebrates 40 Years in Business