Sausalito , CA – Do you enjoy wine tasting, but dread the long, crowded drive to wine country and the tedious car-hopping from winery to winery? Now you can jump on the ferry to charming downtown Sausalito and experience California’s premium wines at Bacchus & Venus, A Taste of Wine Country. The tasting room, retail shop and art gallery offers wines by the flight, by the glass and by the bottle every day from 11-7ish and later on the weekends. The friendly, knowledgeable staff will walk you through your selection of wines, or stroll upstairs to sip your Cabernet while enjoying the art and the view of the Bay and harbor. Proprietor Marcy Roth aims to feature the wines of ten exceptional California wineries; the roster currently includes Cakebread, Domaine Carneros, Duckhorn, Grove Street, Miner, Quintessa, Rosenblum, Schramsberg, Silver Oak, and Starry Night. “By focusing on a select group of premium wineries, our staff is better able to tell the story of each of the wines – the winemaker’s philosophy and techniques, the interesting aspects of the terroir of the vineyards where the grapes were grown, even which foods pair well with each particular wine. Plus, we are able to offer wines that are made in small lots, highly allocated, and hard to find.” Shipping is offered overseas and to all 50 states. With four tasting menus to choose from, there’s something for everyone. The Beginner’s Flight includes two ounce pours of two white wines and two reds, while the Summer Quencher is comprised of all chilled wines, including a bone-dry Rose and a sweet Late Harvest Dessert Viognier. Bacchus & Venus is unusual in that they offer tastes of the highly allocated and hard to find wines, including some library wines. Wine and food pairings are offered on the weekends and the two-floor bar and gallery is available for private parties. A schedule of wine classes will be posted on their website www.bacchusandvenus.com and in the local papers. Bacchus & Venus is located at 769 Bridgeway (home of the Bottle Shop for many years). It’s between the No Name Pub and the Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa at the intersection of Excelsior. Phone 415-331-2001. Hours: 12 – 7 weekdays, 12 – 9 weekends. www.bacchusandvenus.com