Cotati Corner

Cotati Corner is my favorite locale for wine tasting, hands down. Being a transplant from the Midwest, I have always had a vision in my head of wine bars as being very stuffy places where one might feel out of place if you couldn’t name all the Rhone varietals off the top of your head or discuss the relative merits of different vintages. After happening upon CC about two years ago, I now know that I was way off the mark.
When it comes down to it, Cotati Corner is just a fun place to be. You can still buy a fine Cabernet here, but it’s also a great place to swing by after work and have a beer or try some wine. A cold pint for $ 3.50 or tastings of three wines for $ 8 and $ 5 dollars on Thursday and Friday respectively is tough to beat.
The clientele here is bar-​none as well. Stop by and sit down for a glass on Thurs. or Fri. and the vast majority of the customers will actually welcome you and introduce themselves as well. Their friendliness is matched by that of the owner, Chris.
The last thing I will rave about is that Chris knows his wine and his customers. I don’t think he brings a single thing into his store that he hasn’t personally tried and approved of. From $ 6 to $ 60 and up… I feel confident that if it’s being sold there then it is a quality wine at that price-​point. I also enjoy the fact that Chris makes honest recommendations based on his customers likes and doesn’t try to push any particular product.
Fun. Casual. Wine. Beer. What more could I ask for?

Randomly decided to peruse this place on my way to Redwood Café’s Thursday Open Mic night, and I’m so glad I did!
Owner Chris introduced himself immediately and offered me a stool with a group of friendly people and offered me the tastings menu, given that it was «Therapy Thursday» which I though was hilarious and wonderful. Prices here are not to be beat! This day, there was a delicious Syrah, and two very meaty other reds. This was accompanied by a snack plate of absolutely divine hard cheese, pretzels, some type of cured salami, and sourdough bread with an olive oil sampler of 5 different flavors of local olive oils!
Weekly they have rotating samplings specials, and even have a massage therapist who you can book quick chair massages with! They have an excellent selection of regional gems, as well as imported wines, and even offer a wine club membership of varying prices to experience a variety of wines from all over.
They also have some regional micro-​brews on tap that they pour rotating, for those of you who’d rather skip the grape juice or have something different.
The patrons of this place were all super friendly, outgoing, and really had an air of family. It’s apparent that Chris and his staff do everything they can to make this place inviting and welcoming, and that makes it a place that you don’t want to leave.

Since I wrote my original review Cotati Corners has gotton a new owner and made some changes. You no longer have to bring your own glass, yea! Also more seating and less confusion about what is being offered. I haven’t yet gone back in but I received a nice note from Chris over there which I think is very good form. I’m giving them an extra star for that.

I love Cotati Corner (even if it’s not on the corner). There’s always quality wine for varying budgets, and the Thursday late afternoon /​early evening tastings are always fun.