Castro Valley's Cordial Cellar + Lounge Receives Recognition

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — A drive through Napa and Sonoma valley wine country is lovely, but the days of free wine tastings are long over. They can easily set you back $50 these days.

The San Jose Mercury News gave a shout-out this fall to spots in the East Bay and South Bay where locals can get tastings at more budget-friendly price points.

Included in the article is Cordial Cellar + Lounge in Castro Valley. "This subterranean lounge in Castro Valley is the quintessential European-esque wine bar. For starters, it’s hidden and off-the-beaten path — in the basement of the Castro Valley Marketplace — and stylish without trying to be, from the hammered copper back bar to the framed living moss artwork made by the owner’s mom."

The article notes that you can order a flight of three 2.5-ounce pours for $18-$20. The author was impressed with the service. "Our tasting attendant poured a complimentary splash of something French while telling us about his recent travels to Naveran, a cava house in Spain. What we most appreciated about Cordial, besides his warmth, was the manageable list: about eight wines among the whites, sparklings and reds, including a snappy, zin-based blend called The Whole Shebang ($8) from a heritage vineyard in Sonoma."

You may also order bar bites, boards, salads, flatbreads and chef’s specials to go along with your tastings.

Cordial Cellar + Lounge is open from 2 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and from noon Friday-Sunday.

The address is at 3295 Castro Valley Blvd.