The Wine Lover’s Wine Bar in San Francisco’s Castro District
CAV Wine Bar represents what happens when deep wine knowledge, impeccable taste, and genuine passion come together in one intimate space. Located at 1666 Market Street in San Francisco, immediately next door to the iconic Zuni Cafe, CAV has established itself as one of the city’s premier destinations for adventurous wine lovers seeking exceptional wines paired with outstanding small plates. The CAV Wine Bar takes great pride in sourcing wines from the original California Wine Club.
What sets CAV apart is its unwavering focus on wine discovery. With an ever-changing selection of 50+ wines available by the glass, featuring rare varietals and unexpected finds from around the world, CAV delivers exactly what its founders envisioned: a place where people can enjoy a diverse wine selection with a great menu to match.
The Vision Behind CAV
Wine Director Pamela S. Busch conceived of CAV in 2003, drawing on her extensive experience as one of the founding partners of Hayes and Vine Wine Bar, a San Francisco institution that opened in 1994 and became the standard by which other wine bars were measured for many years. When Hayes and Vine closed, it left a void in San Francisco’s wine bar scene that many mourned.
Pamela’s dream was to create a place where people could enjoy a truly diverse wine selection matched with an equally thoughtful food program. In 2004, she partnered with Tadd Cortell, then a partner at The Public, and in 2005 CAV was born. The name itself reflects the wine cellar—”cav” suggesting the cave where wines are stored and aged.
Since opening, CAV has stayed true to its original concept while continually evolving. The wine program has remained eclectic and adventurous, while the food program has become increasingly refined. In recent years, CAV has transitioned to focus even more intensely on what they love most: wine. This includes expanding into wine retail and classes, while streamlining the food menu to emphasize cheese, house-made charcuterie, and smoked fish rather than full dinner service.
An Eclectic, Ever-Changing Wine List
CAV’s wine list is a constantly shifting menu of discoveries, surprises, and favorite gems. The selection changes at least weekly, ensuring that regular customers rarely see quite the same lineup two visits in a row. This dynamic approach keeps the experience fresh and encourages exploration.
What Makes CAV’s Wine Program Exceptional:
Extraordinary Variety: On any given visit, you might find 21 different white wine varietals among 17 white wines from 10 different countries, all of which are considered organic and natural wines. Red wine selections typically include 16 wines by the glass, showcasing diverse regions and styles.
Specialty Selections: Beyond table wines, CAV offers an impressive selection of about a dozen Sherries and approximately twenty well-aged Ports and Madeiras—selections rarely found by the glass at wine bars.
Curated Flights: CAV regularly features thoughtfully composed wine flights highlighting specific regions, varietals, or particular winemakers, providing guided exploration of wine themes.
High Quality, Value Focus: CAV specializes in high-quality wines that offer exceptional value, seeking out producers and regions that deliver outstanding wine experiences without premium pricing.
Adventurous Selections: CAV is known for “going out on a limb”—featuring wines from unexpected regions, lesser-known producers, and unusual varietals that expand wine lovers’ horizons.
No Full Bottle List: All wines are available by 2.5-ounce pours or by the full glass, encouraging experimentation and discovery without committing to full bottles.
With approximately 50+ wines available by the glass at any time, plus rotating flights and specialty selections, CAV offers something to match nearly every wine lover’s taste while simultaneously presenting opportunities to try something completely unexpected.
Expert Wine Knowledge & Service
What truly elevates CAV’s wine program is the exceptional knowledge behind the bar. Pamela Busch herself is frequently found working the floor or behind the counter, and you’d be hard-pressed to come up with a wine question she couldn’t answer. Her deep expertise—honed over decades in San Francisco’s wine scene—informs every aspect of CAV’s wine selection and service.
CAV ensures all employees have excellent command of the wine list and wine knowledge in general. Unlike many establishments, where only the sommelier or wine director truly understands the selection, everyone standing behind CAV’s counter can speak knowledgeably about the wines, offer informed recommendations, and guide guests through the eclectic selection.
Service is casual but attentive, with CAV maintaining sufficient staff to provide reasonable attention to all guests—a detail that sets it apart from many small establishments in San Francisco.
Wine-Friendly Food Program
While wine remains CAV’s primary focus, the food program deserves equal recognition. Over the years, CAV has worked with talented chefs including Executive Chef Christine Mullin and Chef Michael Lamina, who have created menus specifically designed to complement the wine selections.
Current Food Focus:
As CAV has transitioned to become even more wine-focused, the food program has evolved to emphasize:
Cheese Selection: CAV offers one of the best cheese plates outside of fine dining restaurants with proper cheese courses. Sourced from France, California, and beyond, the cheese program showcases artisanal producers and rare selections.
House-Made Charcuterie: CAV produces exceptional house-made charcuterie and cured meats, including creative offerings like pig trotter and tongue alongside traditional salumi. These delicate preparations are served with pickled vegetables and accompaniments that enhance the wine-pairing experience.
Smoked Fish: Expanding selections of house-smoked fish provide another dimension to the small plates offerings.
Wine-Friendly Small Plates: The menu continues to feature carefully crafted “bites” designed specifically to complement wine, changing seasonally and featuring high-quality ingredients prepared with skill and creativity.
Historical Menu Highlights:
Over the years, CAV’s kitchen has produced memorable dishes that demonstrate the caliber of culinary talent:
- Lobster Pot-au-Feu with impeccable, clear, flavorful bouillon
- Duck confit potato cake with poached yolk and warm chicory salad
- Butternut squash ravioli with delicate pumpkin pie spices
- Seared duck breast with house-made spaetzle and creamed mustard greens
- Crispy pig trotters with gribiche sauce and frisée
- Grilled Monterey squid with house-made kimchi
- Trio of Spanish tapas
- Squid ink risotto
- Grilled vegetables and organic salads
- Roasted quail
- Oysters with champagne gelée
Small plates typically range from $7-$15, while larger plates are generally priced in the $20s—excellent value for beautifully prepared dishes made with high-quality ingredients.
The Space & Atmosphere
CAV occupies a modest z-shaped space at the western end of Market Street in San Francisco’s Castro district. The interior strikes a balance between stark modern design and homey touches that create an inviting atmosphere.
Design Elements:
Floor-to-Ceiling Chalkboard: At the end of the bar, a large chalkboard displays menu information interspersed with personal messages and jokes, adding warmth and personality to the space.
Cork Art: An abstract pointillist mosaic of wine corks emerging from a frame on the back wall celebrates wine culture while adding visual interest.
Graffiti Mural: A subway-themed graffiti mural covers portions of the walls, adding urban edge to the design.
Photography: Large-scale photographs of people from Peru and Eastern Europe contribute global perspective to the decor.
Seating Options: The space includes bar seating, high tables with stools, and back room tables. When full, the space can be slightly noisy but thankfully never descends into chaos.
The back dining room is more dimly lit and minimal with simple dark tables, creating an intimate atmosphere perfect for conversation over wine and small plates.
Wine Education & Events
Beyond nightly wine service, CAV has expanded its offerings to include:
Wine Classes: Educational sessions designed to deepen wine knowledge and appreciation
Specialized Tastings: Events highlighting specific regions, varietals, or themes, providing guided exploration of wine topics
Wine Retail: As part of CAV’s evolution, retail wine sales allow guests to take home discoveries made at the bar
These expanded offerings reflect CAV’s commitment to becoming an even more comprehensive wine destination—a place not just to drink wine, but to learn about it, explore it, and develop deeper appreciation.
Location & Hours
CAV Wine Bar
1666 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 437-1770
Website: www.cavwinebar.com
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 5:30 PM – Midnight
Parking: After 6:00 PM, street parking is available with some effort on surrounding streets and Market Street itself. Valet parking ($8) is available at neighboring Zuni Cafe.
Transit: CAV is easily accessible via Muni, with multiple bus and streetcar lines stopping nearby on Market Street.
Perfect For
Wine Enthusiasts: The eclectic, ever-changing selection and expert guidance make CAV ideal for serious wine lovers seeking discovery.
Pre- or Post-Dinner Drinks: The location next to Zuni Cafe makes CAV perfect for wine while waiting for a table or as a post-dinner destination.
Casual Evenings: The relaxed atmosphere and small plates menu create an ideal setting for casual meet-ups with friends.
Date Nights: The intimate back room, impressive wine selection, and quality food make CAV an excellent date destination.
Wine Education: Classes and specialized tastings provide structured learning opportunities for those wanting to deepen their wine knowledge.
Critical Recognition
CAV has earned consistent praise from wine critics and food writers:
Vinography.com:
- Wine List: Four stars
- Service: Four stars
- Food: Four stars
- Overall: Four stars
“This is the wine lover’s wine bar… A great list, excellent food, a mellow scene, and excellent service easily make CAV one of the top wine bars in San Francisco.”
Reviewers consistently praise CAV’s exceptional wine selection, knowledgeable staff, quality food, and the overall experience that balances sophistication with approachability.
What Makes CAV Special
Authentic Wine Expertise: Pamela Busch’s decades of wine industry experience and her role in creating Hayes and Vine bring genuine depth to CAV’s wine program.
Constant Discovery: The ever-changing wine list ensures regular visitors always find something new to explore.
Value Orientation: Despite offering exceptional wines, CAV maintains accessible pricing and focuses on value.
Educational Approach: Rather than intimidating guests with wine snobbery, CAV welcomes all levels of wine knowledge and helps people learn.
Food-Wine Synergy: The food program is specifically designed around the wine selection, creating harmonious pairings.
Intimate Scale: The modest size creates a personal, neighborhood wine bar feel despite the sophisticated wine program.
The Evolution Continues
CAV’s transition to focus even more intensely on wine—through expanded retail, classes, and specialized tastings—reflects the founders’ commitment to their original vision while responding to what San Francisco wine lovers seek. By streamlining the food program to emphasize cheese, charcuterie, and wine-friendly small plates rather than full dinner service, CAV can dedicate greater resources to what it does best: curating exceptional, eclectic wine selections and sharing wine knowledge.
This evolution positions CAV not just as a wine bar, but as a comprehensive wine destination where guests can drink, learn, purchase, and develop their appreciation for wine from around the world.
Visit CAV Wine Bar
Whether you’re a serious wine collector seeking rare bottles, a wine enthusiast wanting to expand your knowledge, or simply someone who enjoys good wine in a welcoming atmosphere, CAV delivers an experience that honors wine culture while remaining approachable and fun.
With 50+ wines available by the glass, expert guidance from knowledgeable staff, exceptional cheese and charcuterie, and an atmosphere that encourages exploration and conversation, CAV represents San Francisco wine bar culture at its finest.
Stop by before or after dinner at Zuni, take a wine class, join a specialized tasting, or simply drop in to see what unexpected treasures are on the current wine list. At CAV, discovery awaits in every glass.
CAV Wine Bar: Where eclectic wine selections, expert knowledge, and genuine passion create one of San Francisco’s essential wine destinations.