New Central Coast wine shop

On a trip to the Central Coast I wanted to check out a new wine shop in Templeton I’d heard about — which also had carried a couple of our wine-of-the-weeks. Templeton is a sweet, little old-fashioned town just south of Paso Robles on the 101. I’d been there in the summer for the farmers’ market held on a grassy square in the middle of town and so I assumed 15 Degrees C (named for the ideal cellar temperature) was right there. Wrong. It’s over in a new complex anchored by Trader Joe’s.

As I headed toward the shop from my car, a guy pushing a shopping cart toward Trader Joe’s called out, “Great little wine shop. I’m so glad it’s here.” Anybody’d be happy to have this place in their neighborhood.

Opened by Ali Rush Carscaden and Allison Dominguez, both Cal Poly alumni with a strong history and interest in food and wine, 15 Degrees C is both a wine bar and a wine shop stocking the shrewdest selection of both local and imported wines around. This is exactly where to head to put together a wine country picnic, too.

They sell Fra’ Mani salumi, a nice array of cheeses, olives, baguettes, chocolates for dessert and much more, including Riedel and Eisch stemware. I picked up some of the Olea Farms arbequiña olive oil they sell in bulk. (Either bring in a bottle or buy one for $2.50) and some bomba rice for paella.
Next door is local favorite Joebella Coffee Roasters, serving their own organic certified and fair-trade specialty coffees. Road warriors who can’t live without checking their e-mail, please note that Joebella’s has free wi-fi.

15 Degrees C Wine Shop and Bar, 1121 Rossi Road, Templeton, (805) 434-1554.
Joebella Coffee Roasters, 1121 Rossi Road, Templeton, (805) 434-2479.

— S. Irene Virbila

Photo by S. Irene Virbila

Comments

[Jim and Gini Doss - Los Gatos, CA]

We have a son attending Cal Poly and we make a point of stopping this wonderful shop whenever we visit. Alison and Ali have created a unique and fun environment for all who love wine, regardless of your level of expertise. Wine tasting with one of their gourmet cheese, olive, bread platters is a definite must! Thank you Alison and Ali!

[Brandy Bell- Donati Family Vineyard]

This place is the greatest! The owners, Ali & Allison are nothing but professional, knowledgeable and helpful. Anytime you go in, you can guarantee you will have five star service at a 3 star price. In this economy, its exactly what people want! Bravo, Girls.

[Bob Nicolaysen/Nicolaysen Family Vineyards]

As a resident and winemaker in Templeton, CA I could not agree more that 15 Degrees is indeed "a great little wine shop [and] I'm so glad it's here." The Central Coast has never had a shop like this, and has needed it for a long time. While going to college in Berkeley, CA, I found Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants, who quickly became a mentor for me in the enjoyment of wine as well as my mentor in how to produce it. 15 Degrees reminds me very much of Kermit Lynch's shop in Berkeley and certainly accomplishes the goal of providing truly hand-picked wines not found anywhere else (from around the world as well as the Central Coast) and a love and passion of how to enjoy them. They are certainly a "diamond in the rough" in the Central Coast; I cannot recommend them enough! A very worthwhile stop if you are in the area!

[Frank Rizzo]

My wife and I stopped at 15 degrees c on a recent trip to SLO. We were VERY impressed. The women in the shop (I think they were the owners) were incredibly knowledgeable, and helpful. Their selection of wine is simply first class. I would highly recommend it!