Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/326040
48 / the tasting panel / june 2014 BEHIND THE SCENES WITH FRED DAME An interview, Santa Barbara–style . . . Fred Dame: It's a perfect day in Santa Barbara. But then, what day isn't? So, Eric and Brian, we meet again. I loved you in the Somm movie! As I look around, knowing that you are in prime wine country, you have to respect the locals. But I see an awful lot of eclectic, rare and unusual selections from all over the world of wine. How is that going over? Brian McClintic: Strangely enough, they are the ones that embrace it the most. We opened up about fifty-fifty and had to convince our customers that it was cool to pour Corsican wine. Most of our clientele is local, and they're the ones call- ing for the adventurous wines. We still love local wines and in fact just completed our first Santa Barbara Futures Tasting. Eric, you come from RN74 in San Francisco. I expected to see the caves of Burgundy when I walked in the door. What happened? Eric Railsback: You're right, RN74 was Burgundy-focused and it remains one of my passions. But we decided to introduce our customers to the world's terroir and great winemaking. Northern Rhône, Piedmonte—you name it and we have it. A Conversation with Brian McClintic and Eric Railsback Fred Dame (center) with Brian McClintic (left) and Eric Railsback (right). PROPRIETORS, LES MARCHANDS WINE BAR AND MERCHANT, SANTA BARBARA, CA photos by Jeremy Ball TP0614_034-71.indd 48 5/23/14 9:23 PM