My New Amazing Find: Desert Wine Shop on 111

traceytlc

2 Oct, 2023

My New Amazing Find: Desert Wine Shop on 111

After my fabulous trip to the wineries in Paso Robles, I have had wine on the brain. I had such a wonderful experience tasting and discovering new wines that I have wanted to duplicate it at home. Luckily, I stumbled across the Desert Wine Shop on 111 in my own backyard! Read on to find out why I am their newest customer.

A menu with pricing for glasses of wine and my wine glass next to it at Friday evening's wine tasting.
Enjoy a glass of wine or two at the wine bar.
Desert Wine Shop has moved from Palm Desert to La Quinta, The exterior of the store with staff sitting and standing on the front patio.
Originally in Palm Desert, they moved to La Quinta in Spring 2023. Photo courtesy of Desert Wine Shop on 111.
Find unique and amazing wines at affordable prices at Desert Wine Shop.
Find unique and affordable wines.

Desert Wine Shop Offers Weekly Tastings

I heard about this cute little shop in the Point Happy shopping center from a few people but hadn’t gotten around to checking it out. The first thing that caught my attention on their website was $10 wine tastings. That’s right. They have tastings for $10!

I paid for a Finally Friday Wine Tasting online. My original plan was to attend that week, but life interfered, and I wasn’t able to make it. A quick call let me know that my purchase was good for any upcoming Friday. I was there the following week.

The tasting consisted of two whites and three reds from different regions. Both Katie and Dana were a wealth of information about the making of each wine and where it was from. I went home with two bottles for under $36. Both were new to me. Valley of the Moon is a red blend from Sonoma County while Eruption is a blend of Syrah, Malbec, Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah from the High Valley Appellation.

Well organized and attended, I made some new friends while sipping wine. Tastings take place from 4:30pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Other events on my radar include the monthly Wine Wednesdays with Katie, an in-depth group tasting and discussion with sommelier and owner Katie Finn.

The Desert Wine Shop has a sense of humor with a funny saying on a chalkboard at the entrance to the store.
Desert Wine Shop has a sense of humor. Photo courtesy of Desert Wine Shop.
A fun mural of La Quinta is painted on the wall behind the wine bar.
A fun mural of the area graces the wall behind the wine bar. Photo courtesy of Desert Wine Shop

More Than Just a Retail Store

While you are sure to find a dynamic bottle of wine to purchase, the Desert Wine Shop on 111 is a fun place to hang out too. Savor a glass of wine or one of their interesting beers at the indoor bar or on one of the two patios. Prices are beyond reasonable with many choices under $10. Pair your drink with one of the lite bites on the menu. With their super friendly staff, it is guaranteed to be a good time.

Patios are dog friendly except for event nights like tastings. I can’t wait to take Cooper.

A picture of Katie Finn, owner of Desert Wine Shop in a blue dress with a glass of red wine with a background of green leaves.
Katie Finn is the owner and sommelier. Photo courtesy of Desert Wine Shop.

Great Prices on Great Wines

I did take a moment to browse the bottles of wine for sale. I was pleased to find some of my favorites including Tooth and Nail, Justin and Austin Hope (I seem to have a thing for Paso wineries!). Katie has done a wonderful job procuring a wide variety of wines from all over the world. Her many years of experience as a wine educator, representative, columnist, sommelier and restaurant manager are evident. Prices are competitive, so you can’t go wrong. Make sure to look into their wine club named Wine Warriors.

I hope to see you at one of their tastings. What is your favorite varietal of wine? Tell me in the comments section below.

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