Weekly Specials

Download this weeks specials NOW!!Our ad for May 9thy thru May 22nd will include 1.5Lit Cavit Pinot Grigio $ 14.39, Bud & Bud Light 24-Loose Cans $ 16.39, 175Lit Dewars White Label Scotch $ 29.39, 175Lit Burnett’s Flavored Vodkas all flavors $ 14.39, 750ml Chocovine Wines all flavores $8.99 and more….  Read More

Tastes Really Do Change

I recently tasted some incredible Pinot Noirs from a small Napa Valley winery called W. H. Smith. They have a cute little tasting room in downtown Calistoga which is run by the winemaker’s daughter. I shared with her how much I enjoyed her Father’s finesse with the Pinot Noirs we were tasting, but that I knew her Dad to be the man behind the Cabernets from the La Jota Winery in the 1980′s. Early in my wine career, I was almost exclusively attracted to big, bold,... Read More

Here’s One For The Bucket List

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the concept of the bucket list. If you are a food and wine aficianado – I highly recommend adding this to the top of your list. The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is held every February in Miami Beach. (Actually, quite a bit of the action takes place ON Miami Beach!). Individual events like wine dinners, tasting seminars and themed parties take place over four days at many of the area’s hotels. But for me, the best... Read More

A Sign of the Times

As I drive around Ocean County, I can’t ignore that these difficult economic times are taking their toll on local restaurants. We just lost two eateries in downtown Toms River, and another two in the Ocean County Mall.  The Route 37 corridor lost two eateries in the last few months and, speaking of national chains, even the Burger King in Bayville was a recent casualty! Each individual restaurant closing comes with its own story as to why it happened – and the point... Read More

NEW Spirits Unlimited in Toms River!

New Spirits Unlimited in the Crossroads Shopping Center, Toms River. We are VERY excited to announce that our new store discount liquor store is open as of February 1st.  Located at the new Crossroads Center in Toms River, at the corner of Routes 37 and 166 (at the Crossroads of the Garden State Parkway), this 8,000 square foot store has been an exciting project to put together and has some very interesting features. Read More  Read More

Cheese & Wine, A Perfect Match

Next time you are in your local supermarket, or even better yet, a gourmet food store, take a few minutes to check out the wide variety of cheese that is available.  I find it extremely hard not to purchase a piece of something I haven’t tried before AND a piece of one of my favorites to share center stage with a bottle of wine.  I LOVE CHEESE! I gotta tell you – I was fortunate to participate in a “cheese night” event at a local restaurant recently and... Read More

A BYOB Relationship

As I enjoyed a great meal at my favorite local restaurant last night, I had a moment of clarity.  I watched, as table after table of people came and went, all with one thing in common – wine on their tables. In my almost 30 years as a wine retailer, and a HUGE fan of the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) concept, it was never more clear to me that the synergy between wine retailers and BYO’s is mutually beneficial.  The wine retailer, especially one that has good BYO’s... Read More

Six Spirited Degrees of Separation

Six Degrees of Separation:  Spirits Unlimited ——–> The Super Bowl Are you familiar with the concept where two seemingly unrelated things (or people) can be connected together through an unpredictable series of connections in five moves?  Even if you are not, try to follow along – it makes for a great story. Read More  Read More

Donny’s Big Adventure

Today, the adventure begins. I’m on my way to California for an action-packed 72 hour business trip that includes a “free day” in the Napa Valley!  The rest of the trip itinerary has me pretty busy with group travel and activities in and around San Francisco.  But, since I don’t play golf (at least not very well) and took a “pass” on an offer for a “spa day”, I’m left with an entire Saturday to continue my exploration... Read More

A Wine Ambassador Is A Serious Thing

Today started like most days.  I woke up, got ready and drove to my first stop of the day.  Over the next eight hours I got to see a few wine representatives (and sample twelve new wines!), visited five of the stores under my supervision, attend an Ocean County Business Association meeting, and had a quick chat with my “big boss” and many other conversations with colleagues and a few customers along the way.  I got gas, went to the bank, scheduled appointments for... Read More