Country Wine & Spirits Announces New Premium Alcoholic Beverage Store Opening in Ramona

A fresh Country Wine & Spirits outlet, retailing unique alcohol, artisanal wines and beers, is set to launch in Ramona within the forthcoming summer.

The liquor license for the fourth Country Wine & Spirits store in Ramona was unanimously approved by the members of the Ramona Community Planning Group. This license will be handed over from the Country Wine & Spirits store located in Tierrasanta, according to the CEO of Kattoula & Associates, Vince Kattoula.

The new point of sale is the old Elam’s Hallmark store at 1423 Main St. within the Plaza Shopping Center. The former owner Guy Elam shut down the store nearby Albertson’s grocery on Valentine’s Day of the preceding year owing to exorbitant operational costs.

Vince Kattoula informed the Planning Group that the upcoming Country Wine & Spirits unit will retail high-end goods encompassing unique liquors, artisanal wines and beers. Furthermore, the store will also include a selection of wines crafted in Ramona, European-style chocolates, and uniquely flavored artisanal sodas from across the globe.

One of the premium items on display is Pappy Van Winkle’s high-quality whiskies and bourbons, as mentioned by Kattoula. He stated that this prestigious brand is not usually available in certain stores.

He also mentioned that they are expected to stock unique, shotgun-shaped, 3-foot-tall bottles of tequila.

Kattoula anticipates that the store will lure and cater to tourists, who can stimulate the local economy of Ramona by patronizing nearby businesses, dining establishments, and vineyards.

“This is more of a tourist destination and provides an opportunity to locate unique bottles for special occasions,” expressed Kattoula right after the liquor license was approved by the Planning Group.

Andrew Simmons, a member of the Planning Group and chair of the Town Center Subcommittee, revealed that a unanimous vote was made during their March 27 meeting to recommend approval for the liquor license.

“Everyone seemed to be in favor of the idea,” Simmons commented. According to him, the liquor store would attract a diverse range of high-end products that could potentially become crowd favorites.

Simmons observed a need for a convenience store within the shopping center, catering specifically to customers desiring quick purchases of alcoholic beverages or snack items.

“Our town draws tourists continually due to its wineries, vibrant music scene, and its position as a thoroughfare to Julian and the desert,” he noted. “While I’m unsure if anyone from San Diego would make the drive up the hill specifically for a liquor store, I definitely see the potential for passing individuals to spot the store and decide to stop by.”

Robin Joy Maxson, a member of the Planning Group, commented at the meeting on Thursday that a similar store in Lake Tahoe that she visited was extremely popular and was “constantly crowded” with customers.

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