Pasadena: Monopole Wine's Japanese sake selection and tasting.

Monopole Wine, Pasadena, CA sells premium sake and Japanese craft beers.

In a lovely restored 1927-built storefront, Pasadena's Monopole Wine (a shop and wine bar) keeps a number of well-priced premium sakes in stock in addition to boutique California wines and Old World wines. Everything is carefully selected by owners Hiro Tamaki and Peter Nelson, who also welcome customers at a cozy wine bar in the back of the store. The high ceilings and extra-thick cement walls keep the store and sake at a cool temperature. Classes and events are ongoing; stop in for a glass of wine or to taste a flight.

Upcoming: on Wednesday February 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. Monopole's sake and sushi event ($30/person) that features sushi from Alhambra's Z Sushi and select Japanese sake.

Monopole Wine
21 S. El Monino Ave.
Pasadena, CA
626/577-9463

Some of the premium sakes in stock.

Hitachino!