6 days Ago By Eric Tanaka
Oakland's beloved natural wine shop and bar, Minimo, is pouring its last glasses and closing its doors after a decade of service. The establishment, known for its commitment to promoting lesser-known winemakers and advocating for inclusivity in the industry, announced it will say goodbye to the community on April 5. According to a social media post from Minimo, the farewell is bittersweet as they reflect on the "community has taken shape" at their location since opening in 2015.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by minimo (@minimowine)The decision to close was complex, encompassing various challenges that have plagued the wine industry, especially in a post-pandemic business climate. Erin Coburn, who co-owns Minimo with Sarah Miller, cited that combining "all those different factors, it just has become insurmountable," as per the San Francisco Chronicle. However, amid the challenges, Coburn takes pride in the achievements of Minimo, especially as "a queer women-owned business" that served as a platform for advocating causes like regenerative agriculture and confronting sexism in the wine industry.
Coburn organized panels addressing these issues at Minimo and hosted events such as the Anything But Vinifera summit, celebrating hybrid grapes and inclusivity in wine. She has watched natural wine's journey from a niche interest to a widespread preference. "When we opened in 2015, we talked a lot about 'minimal intervention wines,' which was the precursor to natural wine," Coburn told the San Francisco Chronicle.
She expressed contentment in seeing how "natural wine is everywhere now."In the last few days, Minimo has offered a 10% discount on all retail wines, ciders, and merchandise and invited customers to a closing party on April 5 and a yard sale the following day..
