Hardly open a month, The Wine Pub on Shelter Island has already become a favorite neighborhood meeting spot. As if the pub had occupied the spot for decades, the bartender greets customers by name as they arrive for an intimate dinner with friends, or a glass of wine at the bar to meet new ones. Owners Sandy and Andy Hanshaw, who live two blocks away, said they wanted to create a friendly, comfortable neighborhood pub. “It’s like ‘Cheers,’” Sandy Hanshaw said. “You feel like you’re at home when you come in. We try to remember everybody’s name and what they like to drink.” The Wine Pub, which plans a grand opening in early December, features 25 domestic and New World wines — all available by the glass, as well as local, handcrafted beers. And the menu includes self-described “cheeseboards, grownup comfort food and delectable desserts.” Customers can bring home a bottle of their favorite wine because all wines offered by the glass may also be purchased by the bottle. Having spent 20-plus years in the hospitality industry, Sandy Hanshaw suddenly found herself out of her job with a major hotel chain as a result of the economic downturn in travel and tourism. Rather than wallow in self-pity, she took the opportunity to create a business from a 12-year hobby. “I’ve had a passion for wine for a long time,” Sandy Hanshaw said. “I felt like it was time to step back and look at what it was I really wanted to do — and to stop thinking about what I wanted to do and actually do it.” Choosing the pub’s featured wines, while a difficult task, was initially based on Sandy Hanshaw’s personal taste. “I started with things that I like, but it’s an educational process,” she said. “The distributors are helpful and we do a lot of tasting to educate our palates. We tried to cover the bases of what people might want.” Staff wine tastings are held frequently to create a consistency of information offered to their customers. Customer service, Sandy Hanshaw stressed, is of utmost importance, and the handpicked staff is a testament to that conviction. Conversation flows easily between manager Sean Murphy, bartender Corey Sinclair and guests as wine knowledge is exchanged. The warm and inviting atmosphere lends itself to discussions among patrons. The décor is contemporary without pretension and the feel continues out to the large patio that features a unique, rectangular fire-pit and heaters, allowing customers to enjoy the outside — even on chilly winter nights.  Fear not, beer lovers. The finest available handcrafted beers are also offered at The Wine Pub. That’s where Andy Hanshaw comes in. The three beers on tap (Trumer Pils, a German-style pilsner; award-winning Deschutes Black Butte Porter; and the lively Green Flash Brewing 30th Street Pale Ale) are among the finest craft beers available, according to Andy Hanshaw. The art of understanding beer also turns out to be an educational experience. “I’m always learning and appreciating beer for what it is … and what it’s become,” Andy Hanshaw said. “San Diego has become known as a top — if not the top —market for craft beer in the country.” In a show of community, The Wine Pub acquires local goods whenever possible. For example, the pub’s bread comes from Con Pane and the chocolate truffle desserts from The Elegant Truffle — both just around the corner. The food menu features a small offering of starters, paninis and specials that include what has fast become a signature dish — the trio of beef sliders and decadent desserts such as classic vanilla crème brulee with fresh berries. Chef Liz Baird creates every dish from scratch using only the very freshest of ingredients. The modest-size menu allows Baird an attention to detail that invites exceptional mouth-watering dishes. Guests, however, often come from other area restaurants for after-dinner fare. “A lot of people come in after dinner from Old Venice or Roseville,” said Sandy Hanshaw. “We have great after-dinner ports, sherries and dessert wines paired with a nice almond tart. It’s a great way to end the evening.” Sharing the local wealth is “all good” to the Hanshaws. “We just want a thriving little village, and it only takes a little bit from everybody [to achieve],” said Sandy Hanshaw. The Wine Pub is open seven days a week from 4 to 10 p.m. and until midnight on weekends, with happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Happy hour features $4 beers (the three on tap), two white wines and two red wine selections. For true connoisseurs, the pub also offers a wine club membership. The Wine Pub is located at 2907 Shelter Island Drive, #108. For information, call (619) 758-9325, or visit wwwthewinepubsd.com.