Local wine bar brings unique offerings

Opened in 2016, Citizen Vine quickly became a Sutter Street staple, bringing the community a Cheers bar that serves wine by the glass and tapas to share. Currently owned by Lisa Gomez, and her husband Jose, for the past year-and-a-half, Citizen Vine is a casual, non-pretentious wine bar that is perfect for a date night or just hanging out with friends. Originally opened by Paul Jansen, who owns the Lincoln location, he couldn't give it the attention and time it needed, so Lincoln regular Gomez bought it and she hasn't looked back. "I live in Lincoln and loved that location. I became a club member right away, and I just loved the premise of wine by the glass and tapas – that's how I like to eat when I go out. I like to order a lot of different things," she said. "I had the opportunity to buy this location so I could focus on it. I'm here all the time – four to five days, and we're open six." At Citizen Vine, their motto is they are a proud, not pretentious wine bar. "It's not a snobby place to have wine, just come in and be causal. Our regulars refer to it as the local Cheers bar on Sutter Street," Gomez said. "I have women come here and describe it as they are in the lounge with a group of eight friends and they feel like they are at home." Citizen Vine serves wine, by the glass and bottle, beer, champagne and bubbles, as well as non-alcoholic drinks. When it comes to food, Citizen Vine does not disappoint. Their top seller and most popular item on the menu are the tacos, Gomez said. "We have a huge charcuterie and cheese board with all kinds of goodies and meats and cheeses. It's huge and is great for sharing," she said. "We have everything from tacos to flatbreads, little bites like hummus and bruschetta; we have vegetarian options as well as gluten-free options. You can order a little bit everything here." Something unique about Citizen Vine is their club membership. There are two levels – Mayor's Club and Citizen's Club. Both club members get three bottles of wine every quarter, 20 percent their bill when they come in, member tasting every month and discounts on events. However, the Mayor's Club receives two free tickets to the quarterly tasting event where members vote on what wines should be put on the menu. "I bring five to seven different wines to taste, and members vote on them. The wines that score the highest end up on the menu," Gomez said. "About 80 percent of our menu has been voted in by the club members. It's constantly changing, but we have a few standards." When asked what her favorite thing about her business was, Gomez said that it is fun. "I love coming here. I love seeing all the regulars and meeting new people. This is my happy place." Among many weekly specials, a $6 Happy Hour is offered 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and on Wednesdays, for Wine Not Wednesday, for $45 you get a bottle of wine, three tapas and a dessert. "On weekends, we have live music, and it's a great place where people can come, drink, hangout, eat some good food and listen to some music," she said. "I am always looking for a place that has all those things, so I am offering it."