Our sommelier friends at Argaux just moved into the loveliest new space and team AOBF along with our friend Laura Hart of Laguna Supply paid Arden a visit to see the new digs and hear about what they have planned for summer.
For those of you who don’t know, Argaux is a service they call “a personal sommelier in your back pocket”. Who doesn’t want that? Whether you’re looking for a wine club made just for you, are in need of wine for your trip to Catalina next weekend, or are entertaining and want your sommelier to organize a wine tasting in the comfort of your own home, Argaux, your personal sommelier, is at your service.
They recently have started a Dinner Series (already sold out for summer) that we thought you should know about for next season. If you’re like us, a new place for date night or a night out with girlfriends is always welcome, so put these on your radar.
Each dinner has a theme…for summer, A Day in San Sebastian, Red, White & BBQ, Island Wines and Al Fresco and will consist of 5 courses from Chef Jimmy Stafford of Stafford Prime, plus (of course), wines to pair. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for next season.
Keep reading to see all that Argaux has to offer and what to look forward to from these pocket somms.
Tell us about your new office space…
Argaux HQ is extremely exciting for Margaux and I. We started the business out of my parent’s home, storing wine at a temperature controlled facility in Mission Viejo. When you don’t have a space to invite existing or potential business into, it can be difficult to get in front of people. This is especially true in a business like ours! Finding a unique location for Argaux was a part of the plan all along. It took us about a year but we finally stumbled upon what is now Argaux HQ – 6,000 sq. ft. of office, warehouse, courtyard, and temperature controlled wine storage. The space is not open to the public, rather a “members only” hub for all things wine. From private tastings in our courtyard to local pick up, personal delivery and wine storage, we can now say we truly provide an innovative wine retail experience. When someone thinks “wine” we want them to think “Argaux” whether they are spending $20 or $250/bottle. Whether they buy wine to drink that night, or they collect wine to lay down for years. Argaux HQ serves a purpose for each and every one of our members. It’s a refreshing approach to discovering wine. So many of our members don’t have the time to wander down the wine aisle. They want to explore the world of wine and learn a little something here and there, but every time they go to the store they end up buying the same bottle they bought last week. Argaux provides members with a convenient, custom, and affordable way to have fun with wine. Even better, Argaux HQ allows members to pre-order and pick up wine when needed, or an Argaux sommelier will coordinate delivery whenever and wherever you need wine.
Explain your dinner party series and how our followers can take part in the fun!
The Summer Dinner Party Series! So much fun. You may already know that Argaux actually started when Margaux and I lived together at The University of Arizona. We’d throw dinner parties for 12-24 people. Needless to say, we’re dinner party enthusiasts and we often encourage this sort of mindset amongst our members. I loved Margaux’s letter in November’s Club Argaux Box. It sums this up perfectly (see below). With that being said, we decided to partner with Chef Jimmy Stafford for a series of dinner parties aligned with Club Argaux “themes” May-August. We are already completely SOLD OUT which is amazing. Clearly, our members have been waiting for us to put something like this together and we could not be more thrilled. May’s theme is “A Day in San Sebastian” so Jimmy has created a Basque/Spanish inspired menu. June is “Red, White & BBQ”, July we are focusing on “Island Wines” and August is “Al Fresco Dining” so expect homemade pasta, shave artichokes, essentially everything good in the world!
Suggest some new wine pairings for summer?
Here at Argaux we’re into high acid, food friendly wines from Spain and Italy. Anything in line with Albariño, Txakolina, Verdicchio, Vermentino is what we’ll be drinking this summer. We have several members who prefer red over white year round so we’ve discovered some reds that are wonderful with a slight chill on them during hot summer months! We have a fun campaign being released soon featuring “The Perfect Red” from Broc Cellars. It’s so good you could have it for breakfast.
What’s the best rosé you offer since it’s that time…
Hard to say! We launched our annual “Shades of Rosé” 3 Month Subscription last month so I actually did my due diligence and selected 12 rosés for the season. Rosé comes in all different shades from all over the world. You can’t stick to just one, it’s too fun tasting through them all!
It’s wedding season, tell us about the year of firsts!
It is wedding season! I’ll be getting married this time next year 😉 The Year of Firsts is the best gift. You can choose as many wines as you’d like although 12 is what makes it a “year of firsts”. Our sommeliers help you choose wine selections. Each bottle comes with a tag around the neck of the bottle that lets the newlyweds know when to enjoy. For example, “First Thanksgiving” or “First Dinner Party”. It’s a great way to congratulate and give something that keeps on giving throughout their first year of marriage.
How can we sign up for club Argaux and what does it include?
You can sign up for Club Argaux on our website or simply contact myself or Margaux. We prefer to meet and taste some vino with those interested if possible! Club Argaux includes 4 bottles of wine per month. Members taste new wines each month with the option to reorder favorites. Deliveries come with tasting notes on each wine.
What are the price ranges for those on a budget and those who want to treat themselves…
Club Argaux features wine under $35/bottle. It’s truly for those looking to stock up on everyday drinking wines. Wines they don’t have to think twice about opening on a Tuesday night. If you’re interested in $50 + you might be a good candidate for our Private Client Program. Private Clients typically collect wine or are seeking specific wines from say Burgundy or Barolo. I work hard each week to source the best value in highly allocated, rare wines for our Private Clients.
Can you change your club Argaux from month to month?
When you join Club Argaux you are not committed. You pay month-to-month and can pause, freeze or stop deliveries at any time!
What summer travel plans do you have?
Margaux and I recently returned from France/Italy so we are staying put for a bit. June through pretty much the end of the year is when things really start to heat up for us with entertaining over the summer and our gift program come November. We are trying to make it up to Oregon though to visit one of our producers, Flânuer Wines.
We have something new, creative, and different in the works each month. Join our mailing list to stay in loop!
Contact Argaux ::
414-581-2392
info@argaux.com
All clothing worn supplied by Laguna Supply!