John Maynard Keynes said that “My biggest regret in life is that I didn’t drink more champagne.”  Already at this stage in my life, I’m living proof that statement will never apply to me.

When I was told that Starr Hall was opening up a Champagne Bar in Avila Beach, to say I was pleased was a major understatement.  I love champagne. I love it so much that I took a trip to France in the middle of one of Europe’s coldest winters on record to visit Champagne to be able to experience one of my favorite wines where it originated. I love it so much that I drove from Los Angeles to Avila Beach on a Friday afternoon just to attend the opening of Cuvee.  Starr Hall was fulfilling one of my unspoken dreams and I wanted to be there to witness it.

I arrived to meet Starr and of course, to leave my Central Coast Wine Classic Brochures in the most accessible of spots, only to find that my friend and long time Avila Beach resident Archie McLaren had beat me to the punch. Now if it were my place, and I knew that Archie McLaren  was planning on stopping into to say hello, I would have needed a bottle of champagne just to calm my nerves (yes, he’s the same Archie who was inducted into the 2011 Vintners Hall of Fame Board of Stewards and also is the Chairman of the most exclusive wine event of year, the Central Coast Wine Classic).  You see, I had called ahead to let Starr know that Archie would possibly be joining me for Cuvee’s Grand Opening but he had stopped by the day before to check it out in his stealth-like manner. He must have like what he saw because according to Archie McLaren, “Cuvee is a remarkable concept in that it is the only wine tasting venue on the Central Coast that offers such an array of fine Champagnes and Sparkling wines, and it does so in an venue atmosphere that is well-designed, extremely attractive and casually elegant. The light coming through the south-facing windows that form the entire southern wall area gives a feeling of openness that is truly refreshing; it reminds you of the fact that you are in the special beachside community of Avila Beach. Along with other special wine tasting venues in Avila, such as Alapay Cellars, the Avila Wine & Roasting Company, Morovino and Wood Winery, facing the beach on Front Street, all of which are very well-designed and well-located, Avila Beach has now become the Central Coast’s most comprehensive community destination for wine tasting.” Now that’s a very impressive comment from a man with very, very high standards.

The Cuvee Champagne & Delights Bar serves champagne, champagne mixers, still wine and artisan beers complimented with delicious desserts, local charcuterie, exotic olives and a variety of cheeses and caviar. The Parisienne flair and decor, make Cuvee the perfect place for a girls’ night out for chocolate and bubbly, the most romantic of dates, or to hold the swankest of soirees. I highly recommend the bellinis, chocolate dipped strawberries, and please remember to just take your time and enjoy the lovely atmosphere that Starr has so lovingly and thoughtfully created in her dream establishment.  Cuvee is a gem of a Champagne Bar located in Avila Beach.  “Like” Cuvee on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cuveeanddelights and follow Cuvee on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cuveeavilabeach.