Cheers: Welcome Scarsdale Wine Merchants to Town

A gem of a wine store has quietly opened on Depot Place, on the west side of the Scarsdale Train Station, next to Dunkin’ Donuts. The totally redesigned space looks like something you’d find in Manhattan, with sleek shelving, state of the art lighting and cool ambience.
Behind the counter, which looks a bit like a bar, you’ll meet the proprietor and sommelier Kristie Campbell, who learned her trade while working in the vineyards of Sonoma and the wine cellars at renowned NYC restaurants such as Jean Georges, Daniel, 11 Madison Park and Craft where she was a sommelier. She clearly knows her stuff and has selected a unique collection of well-known and lesser-known brands at all price points on display in her first retail store. Also on the shelves are champagnes, spirits, hard seltzers and liquors.

Campbell explained that when she purchased the store, she did a total redesign to facilitate buyers, tastings and casual conversation creating a communal environment for wine lovers. When we stopped by on a snowy afternoon, Campbell was deep in conversation with a customer, reviewing the merits of reds, whites and scotch. It was evident that the customer was enjoying the exchange.
Open just a few weeks, Campbell says the reception from customers has been very positive and welcoming. Since the shop is a bit hidden under the Popham Road bridge, she sees the surprise and delight on the faces of those who happen in.

In addition to running the store, Campbell manages private wine collections, can recommend and supply wines for events and also serve as a sommelier at private parties. She emphasized her ability to select wines for the value driven, the connoisseur and everyone in between.

What is she recommending this week: Here are wines she thinks you’ll like:

Cantine Valpane Rosso Pietro Barbera del Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy 2020 $25
“I first visited this winery about a decade ago while on a Kermit Lynch trip. Monferrato is a bit of a trek, about an hour northeast of Barolo, but it was well worth it. As soon as we arrived Pietro Arditi greeted us with his enormous smile and arms stretched out for a hug. His wines are as lovely as he is, but if you try to compliment him, he humbly shrugs it off and says, “the wines of Valpane have been winning awards for well over a century, so it can’t be my doing. I’m just careful not to ruin what the land gives us!”

“Pietro’s grandfather (and namesake) began working the land in 1900. He saw the potential in Monferrato for its long hours of sunshine and slightly warmer climate which contributes to the pure and lively expression of Barbera that I don’t often find. This is a knockout wine for $25.”

Domaine de la Pepiere La Pepie, Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine sur Lie, Loire Valley, France 2023 $17
“Domaine de la Pepiere is an iconic producer, farming organically since 1985. It’s who I go to first when I want something crisp and clean to pair with oysters and other shellfish or just sit by the pool and relax. But make no mistake - this is more than just a quaffable wine; it has a rich texture due to its extensive lees contact (aka “sur lie”) which cuts through its minerality.”

“Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is the name of the region that this beautiful wine comes from in the western edge of the Loire Valley. Only white wines are produced here and sits along the Sèvre Nantaise river and its tributary, La Maine. Wine drinkers are often confused by this name, thinking the grape is Muscat which tends to have sweetness. This could not be farther from the truth. The grape is called Melon de Bourgogne (brought over from Burgundy) and displays lemon curd and lime zest mixed with crushed rock and flint. It’s just delightful!”

Located at a crossroads of the Village, within walking distance from homes in Scarsdale and Edgemont and apartments on Garth Road, Campbell invites locals to stop into Scarsdale Wine Merchants anytime. The store stays open until 8 pm from Tuesday through Saturday, and until six pm on Sundays. There is ample parking in and around the circle to make it easy to pop by and curbside pickup and local delivery are available. Also check out their website here.

Welcome Kristie Campbell at Scarsdale Wine Merchants to the community.

Scarsdale Wine Merchants
2 Depot Place
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 722-9463
scarsdalewinemerchants.com

Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm