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Considering its impact on the downtown Hollister business district and the local wine scene, it might be surprising that Crave Wine Company has only recently celebrated its second anniversary, on Jan. 11, with a well-attended party featuring music by Marty Medrano and DJ Sikk Ceez.
In just those two years, Maura Cooper and Mike Kohne have actively promoted local wineries and vineyards, shining a new light on San Benito County and elevating the conversation about its contributions to the wine industry.
“Mike and Maura are the most wonderful hosts,” said Irene Davis, board president of the recently launched Visit San Benito County. “Between them and Mad Pursuit, they’re bringing that block back to life and creating a nice atmosphere for everyone.”
It was not an easy start for the couple. They were first on BenitoLink’s radar following their inaugural appearance at the Gabilan Seneca fundraiser in September 2021, where they promoted their web-based wine club and discussed their plans to open a brick-and-mortar wine bar.
In March 2022, Benitolink covered the renovation of their San Benito Street location and the occasional pop-ups they were holding. It was not until January 2023 that we finally announced to our readers that they were officially open to the public.
“It was frustrating,” Kohne said. “There is the money you are missing out on making and the money you are paying out. Small business is really about passion, and you don’t want people to lose that interest.”
Once the doors opened, however, Kohne and Cooper started bringing in crowds with a savvy combination of eclectic wines and a full schedule of events such as local vendor pop-ups and, of course, winemakers’ showcases.
Standout events last year included an evening with Al De Rose of De Rose Winery, and one of the first public tastings for Anthony and Natalie Copriviza’s Pelayo Cider. Kohne and Cooper recall that a tasting with Assiduous Wines was a crowd-pleaser.
“Their malbec was not on my radar,” Cooper said, “and I had never had it before that event. But I was really impressed by it, and it is one of my favorite wines of the year.”
Her absolute favorite discovery of 2024 was the bubbly 2017 Roederer Estate L’Ermitage. The demand for sparkling wines has proven so great that Crave has launched the Bubbles Wine Club—six bottles of sparkling wine distributed three times yearly for $199.99.
“We did two sparkling events last year,” Kohne said, “as food pairings with different executive chefs. They both sold out faster than our other events and had the most engaged participants. I don’t know what it is with bubbles, but everybody just loves them.”
One of Kohne’s current favorites is the 2020 Paris Valley Road Sparkling Wine from Paso Robles.
“We don’t get a lot of local bubbles,” Kohne said. “There are a few places nearby, in Monterey, but that is about it. It has great acidity but also a little more fruit to it. It’s not overly sweet, and it has a nice flinty character. It is really complete. We’ve been pouring it for a while now.”
The Bubbles Club joins the Crave Club, which includes two seasonal bottles every other month; the Atlas Club, with six bottles from around the world, distributed three times a year; and the 20 Club, with four bottles drawn from local wineries distributed four times a year.
On Feb. 2, Crave will celebrate Calera Winery’s 50th anniversary, guided by Calera winemaker Mike Waller and featuring five wines paired with dishes prepared by frequent collaborator Chef David Jamrock.
“Calera’s Mt. Halan wines are just out of this world,” Kohne said. “And, if it’s possible, they are just getting better and better each vintage. Those wines have always been amazing ever since founder Josh Jensen kicked the winery off.”
Kohne said that Cooper worked at Calera during Jensen’s tenure, and he had also spent time there, so the winery is close to their hearts. He said it surprises him that many people in the county don’t realize that Calera is a global phenomenon.
“Before the pinot noir craze happened,” he said, “following the release of the film Sideways, Calera was talked about as what you wanted to do if you started a winery. Josh put California on the map for pinot noir and set the standard for what wineries should aspire to be.”
BenitoLink Board Member Kris Waller has been a Crave regular and is looking forward to the Calera event, perhaps because she is also Mike Waller’s mother… Surprisingly, her favorite wine at Crave is the 2022 Ridge Vineyards Grenache Blanc.
“Crave is one of my favorite places in town,” she said. “It is something that San Benito County needed, especially to showcase its wines. Mike and Maura have a lot of knowledge to share with us, and I have learned quite a bit since Crave opened.”
In addition to the Calera pairing, upcoming events include a Late-Night Love Fest on Valentine’s Day and the monthly Crave Book Club.
“We have so many conversations with people over things like the books they are reading,” Cooper said. “I started asking people if they would come if we had a book club. Our first book was Verity by Colleen Hoover, and it’s still number one.”
Brenda Weatherly, program manager for the San Benito Leadership Institute, says her favorite wine at Crave is the Morgan Metallico Unoaked Chardonnay, which Kohne keeps in stock for her. She appreciates the way Crave strives to accommodate the community by providing not only great wine but also a great atmosphere.
“It is a really fun place to meet up with people or for social gatherings,” she said. “It’s just so comfortable and inviting and warm.”
Kohne said they intentionally try to maintain the Cheers mentality of being a place “where everyone knows your name.”
“It is a testament to our communities and how much they support us,” he said. “We’ve had baby showers, bridal showers, fundraisers, the Rotary Club—people from all walks of life. It’s a great feeling to know that we are one of those spaces for our community.”
CALERA 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: WINE & FOOD PAIRING w/WINEMAKER MIKE WALLER – Sunday, February 2nd, 2024, Noon – 2pm. Calera Winery! Winemaker Mike Waller will guide a tasting of five of the winery’s Mt Harlan wines. Each wine will be paired with menu devised by of local chef David Jamrock.
Crave Wine Bar & Shop:
616 San Benito Street
Hollister, CA 95023
Hours of Operations:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed (open for Book Club – Events)
Wednesday: 1:30pm-8:00pm
Thursdays: 1:30pm-8:00pm
Friday: 1:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday: 1:30pm-8:30pm
Sundays: Noon-6:30pm
Email: info@cravewineco.com
Call: (831) 313-1358
Recommendations for future Eat, Drink, Savor articles can be emailed to roberteliason@benitolink.com.
BenitoLink thanks our underwriters, Hollister Super and Windmill Market, for helping to expand the Eat, Drink, Savor series and give our readers the stories that interest them. Hollister Super (two stores in Hollister) and Windmill Market (in San Juan Bautista) support reporting on the inspired and creative people behind the many delicious food and drink products made in San Benito County. All editorial decisions are made by BenitoLink.
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