Brian Plebanek and Gail Liston were wine aficionados and enjoyed learning about food and wine pairings for several years before they decided to take the plunge and open their own wine shop in Freeland.
Brian and Gail enjoy researching wine. They have amassed an assortment of over 1,300 wines from all over world, and their knowledge about wines and their wine customers is truly amazing.
They sample dozens of wines each week and they know the characteristics of each wine in the shop so they can find just the right wine to match each customer’s tastes. A visitor to Vino Amore can simply wander and look at the huge selection, or they can ask for help. Some gourmet clubs on Whidbey bring in their menus and ask for the right wines to choose to match the meal selections.
While most wine stores simply replenish their shelves, Brian and Gail love to bring in new, different and interesting wines. Each weekend, they have wine tastings with five wines and provide tasting notes and other information that Gail researches and writes up.
Recently, they have added specialty beers and ales from around the world and also fill 64oz growler jugs from their taps. They presently offer three local brews: Mac & Jacks African Amber, Georgetown’s Manny’s Pale Ale and Diamond Knot Industrial IPA. If you don’t already own a Growler, they sell those, too! You can even get one with their big Golden Retriever, Koa, pictured on the front.
Koa is Vice President of Public Relations at Vino Amore as well as the wine club manager. Koa’s Wine Club offers three member levels based on the value of the wines. Members can choose between two reds, two whites or one of each for their monthly selections. There is no joining fee and there are many special perks for being club members!
For more information about Vino Amore or to sign up for Koa’s Wine Club, stop by their store at 5575 Harbor Ave., suite 102 Freeland, give them a call at 360-331-7661, email at vinoamore@whidbey.com or visit their website at http://www.vinoamore.com/.
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