Wine Shop and Tasting Bar to Open

By: Deborah Karalun

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Deborah Karalun

Photo Description:

Tasting Bar hostess Angela Barnes pours a sampling of wine at Uptown Wine Merchant Wine Shop and Tasting Bar's preview.

Tucked into a quiet mid-century plaza in Historic Uptown Yucaipa is the city’s newest gem, Uptown Wine Merchant Wine Shop and Tasting Bar. Uptown Wine Merchant allows patrons to sample and purchase wines from around the world including California and two wineries located in Yucaipa, Wildwood Oak Winery and Suveg Cellars. Owner Ben Mozaffari brought in consultant, Nicole Blankenship, owner of Little Black Glass in downtown Redlands and certified sommelier to assist in bringing Uptown to life. Mozaffari’s love of wine and Blankenship’s expertise are a winning combination that brings Yucaipa residents a way to explore the world one sip at a time. March 2nd and 3rd served as Uptown’s preview evenings for friends, family, and neighboring businesses with their official opening March 7, 2018. Attendees were treated with tastings of wine that the store will be featuring its opening week.  Mozaffari plans on hosting a grand opening Thursday, April 19, 2018.