Tofino to Offer Wine, Relaxed Atmosphere in Laurel Heights

The bustling intersection of Geary and Masonic, currently home to The Corner Store and a smattering of big-box retailers, is about to add a neighborhood wine shop and wine bar to its eclectic offerings. Tofino Wines (2696 Geary), from married wine-industry vets Mark Nevin and April Sack, aims to offer guests a combination wine bar and retail experience, with an emphasis on social gatherings like tastings and events. (The unusual name comes from a town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, where Nevin spent summers growing up.)

Inside Scoop reports that the 2,500-square-foot concept is a result of Nevin and Sack's desire for a more dynamic wine experience, a departure from typical wine shops that feel like "static environments." The partners say they intend to solve that problem by simply creating "a place to hang out and drink wine." Says Nevin, "It's not our mission to educate people about wine...I think we see this place as a place to come and relax." With The Corner Store drawing crowds right across the street, Nevin says that they saw "a need for a really great high-end place to drink wine...and be engaged in a bigger discussion about wine" in the neighborhood.

The bar will offer 32 seats, craft beer and wine on tap, and a wine list focused on small, family estates from California, France, Italy and Spain. Every bottle from the on-site retail shop can be enjoyed on-site for a $10 corkage fee, and there will also be a strong selection of Champagne and sherry. Expect a short menu of snacks like charcuterie, cheese, panini and crostini (with plans to expand in the next few months). Signage is already up; if all goes according to plan, Tofino will open by the end of March.