![\"San](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/SDCellars-300x278.jpg\")
Hipper sources grapes from all over the state, including Lodi, Napa, Paso Robles, San Marcos and Santa Barbara. He still provides counsel on alcohol compliance laws for other wineries and breweries, but San Diego Cellars is now his full-time venture. As a father to small children, he enjoys the flexibility this new work schedule brings.<\/p>\n
Like most winemakers, Hipper tends to focus on the varietals of wine he enjoys drinking\u2014known for his Syrahs and Old Vine Zinfandels\u2014with Viognier being his signature white. Right now he has three Syrahs and will soon release a fourth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m most excited about getting this stuff in front of people,\u201d Hipper said. \u201cWe want to see people enjoying the wine and food, be able to entertain them and give them a new experience. We\u2019re excited to have an audience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hipper, a South Park resident, was born in San Diego while his father was stationed here with the U.S. Navy, making it a familiar home in which to establish his business. Beginning as a hobby, winemaking grew into an occupation when Hipper began producing several hundred cases of wine per year beginning in 2008.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re hoping people catch on,\u201d he said. \u201cSan Diego is ripe for tasting rooms and refillable bottles [and] people are looking for small batch stuff made for the customer.\u201d<\/p>\n
To demonstrate their commitment to this trend, San Diego Cellars sells wine \u201cCRUzers,\u201d ecofriendly, refillable, swing-top wine bottles. Similar to beer growlers, the CRUzers make wine on tap portable for home consumption.<\/p>\n
To facilitate this business, Hipper started a wine club for San Diego Cellars which is free, although members are required to pay for at least a case of wine annually, which works out to be approximately three bottles and $75 per quarter. Included with membership is a 20 percent discount on everything else, including food, as well as complimentary tastings for members and up to three guests.<\/p>\n San Diego Cellars holds quarterly pickup parties, where wine club members have the opportunity to select their own wines, taste limited or new releases, and enjoy live music. If members can\u2019t attend a pick-up party, wine is selected on their behalf. A pre-holidays pickup party is currently being scheduled, and San Diego Cellars also took part in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, a day when shoppers around the country are encouraged to support local small businesses.<\/p>\n Hipper said he was drawn to the centrality of Little Italy and the back courtyard area of his particular property, which allows for a production facility. He said that the Little Italy Association and neighboring businesses have been welcoming, and his fluency in Italian has already been put to use.<\/p>\n San Diego Cellars will soon partner with the new Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen, located nearby on India Street, to create a barreled-aged beer. Using wine barrels to create a unique brew, the beer\u2019s label plans to play up the businesses\u2019 similar address.<\/p>\n America\u2019s first Master Sommelier Eddie Osterland\u2014one of only 211 with this distinction worldwide\u2014lives nearby and has already visited Hipper\u2019s tasting room.<\/p>\n Moving in across the street from San Diego Cellars is celebrity Chef Richard Blais\u2019 new venture, Juniper & Ivy, currently slated for a February 2014 opening. Blais\u2019 rise to fame is a result of winning Bravo TV\u2019s Top Chef All-Stars, coupled with his successful Atlanta-based eateries. San Diego Cellars hopes to capitalize on the extra foot traffic that Juniper & Ivy will undoubtedly bring to the block.<\/p>\n Hipper also hopes to draw guests in with their live music, typically played Friday and Saturday nights, but San Diego Cellars won\u2019t be a late-night destination, since they\u2019re only permitted to serve alcohol until 11 p.m.<\/p>\n To complement its varied wine list, San Diego Cellars also offers hors d\u2019oeuvres including a charcuterie or gourmet cheese plate, crostini appetizers, salads and desserts.<\/p>\n \u201cThe idea was to create a menu that pairs with wine,\u201d said Chef Samantha Roach. \u201cAll the food is selected for pairing and sharing with friends.\u201d<\/p>\n With a kitchen adjacent to the tasting room that also has no range hood, Roach currently has some cooking limitations; but she\u2019ll soon acquire a grill in the back courtyard area that will diversify her menu offerings.<\/p>\n Formerly in the kitchens of Blind Lady Ale House, Eden, and Indulgence Catering, Roach has been consulting and planning with San Diego Cellars for the last year.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to see how far we can take the menu,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n San Diego Cellars is located at 2215 Kettner Blvd. For more information, visit sdcellars.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Todd](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/ToddHipper.jpg\")
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