Published June 2004

Wicked Cellars:
Everett shop carries hundreds of wines,
assortment of culinary accessories

By Kimberly Hilden
SCBJ Assistant Editor

With its welcoming atmosphere of muted lighting and warm jazz, hundreds of international and regional wines, and owner Kevin Nasr behind the counter happy to talk varietals, Wicked Cellars is on a mission to “demystify” wine.

“I think a lot of people are intimidated by wine,” said Nasr, noting the amount of information there is on the subject, from regional and varietal differences to the vocabulary that goes along with them. “We want to demystify wine because wines are fun, wines can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Snohomish County Business Journal/ KIMBERLY HILDEN Kevin Nasr, owner of Wicked Cellars in Everett, displays a couple of his shop’s selections, which include wines from across the globe and the state. The store also carries an eclectic mix of culinary extras, from cookbooks and wine crackers to cigars and wine goblets.

Since buying the downtown Everett wine shop from former owner Jeff Wicklund in October, Nasr and his wife, Bonnie, have beefed up the number of on-site wine tastings to three a week: noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

The shop also has revitalized its Wicked Wine of the Month Club, which offers members two selected bottles of wine per month, one red and one white.

Through the tastings and the club, customers get a chance to explore wines they might not normally buy — and often find themselves enjoying, said Nasr, a longtime wine connoisseur.

“The more that people can try different wines, the better. I really think that there is a wine for everybody,” the Everett resident added.

To that end, Nasr has increased Wicked’s wine inventory by 30 percent, doubling the number of Washington state wines in stock. Among them are sought-after labels from smaller vintners, many who produce just a few hundred cases with each vintage and variety, including Mark Ryan Winery, Chandler Reach Vineyards, Five Star Cellars, James Leigh Cellars, McCrea, Harlequin and Nota Bene Cellars.

Wicked also showcases a selection of value wines that are priced anywhere from $7.99 to $13.99, Nasr said. “These are wines that we’ve tasted and believe represent good value for the money.”

It’s not just the value wines that must have the approval of Nasr and colleague Ritch Sorgen — but every wine that is sold at the shop, whether it is a locally produced cabernet sauvignon or a Cab-Franc-based Bordeaux from France. And the bottom line is quality.

“There is so much out there that is so good that if we taste it and it’s not good, we’re not going to bring it in, even if we could make a profit from it,” he said.

That thinking goes hand-in-hand with his philosophy on life: “Good friends, good food, good wine together make all three better.”

Back to the top/June 2004 Main Menu