About Wally's Wine & Spirits

About Wally’s

In business since 1968, Wally’s Wine & Spirits has long been a Los Angeles institution ranging from first-time wine buyers to collectors and connoisseurs. Combining personal service (with a patient and knowledgeable staff), an inventory of thousands of hard to find and unique wines, beers and spirits (everything from $10 value wines to the rarest of the rare) in a relaxing and comforting atmosphere (not including their state-of-the-art website), it is no wonder that the Zagat Survey has called Wally’s “The No. 1 Wine Shop in Los Angeles”, and Forbes lists Wally’s as one of their “Top Shops”.

About Steve Wallace

Steve Wallace’s biography could serve as a template for the American entrepreneurial spirit. From running his own valet service and managing a Beverly Hills club while still in his 20’s, Steve started his own wine shop in 1968, which has evolved into one of the country’s best known wine retail outlets. In the sixties, wine was seen in America as an exotic European curiosity – while today, many upscale homes come ready made with wine cellars – evidence that general wine knowledge and appreciation today is de rigueur, thanks to a few trailblazing entrepreneurs such as Steve. Don’t think for a second that Steve rests on his laurels – some forty years later, that same fearless and inquisitive spirit lives on in his daily activities and never-ending projects, which include partnerships in no less than five Los Angeles restaurants, and in two yearly Los Angeles based auctions with the largest wine auction house in the US, Zachy’s.

Fundamental to Wally’s growing popularity has been Steve’s desire to share his passion and knowledge for wine with the public – as well as a commitment to courteous service, and absolute belief in product. That commitment to service, essentially, remains the glue to the success of Wally’s, which has resulted in the trust of thousands of loyal customers.

A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Steve is also on the board for the Los Angeles County Fair, as well as a member of the Los Angeles Times and Sonoma County wine judging panels, and is a board member of the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center. Steve has been recognized by the European Wine Council, Wine Spectator Magazine, and the Concorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. Steve is also the recipient of the Patterson’s 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award, from Patterson’s Beverage Journal.

About Christian Navarro

Born in Mexico City and raised in Palm Springs, Christian Navarro’s life journey has a notable similarity to a segment of the movie Kundun, a movie based on the 14th Incarnation of the Dalai Lama. In one scene, the future icon as a mere tot is seen to instantly recognize personal items used by his spiritual predecessor, indicating his rightful ascension to the religious throne.  In allegorical fashion, after following his muse to Los Angeles in hopes of becoming a painter, Christian found himself working in wine shops. Soon, his clairvoyant-like ability to know a wine’s particulars during blind tastings hosted by international wine tasting groups became the source of legend – and eventually led him to not only a partner position at Wally’s, but to “guru” status to former presidents, Wall Street players and the entertainment industry’s top moguls and stars – who frequently call for advice.

Christian seemed destined to follow the world of wine, and to be centered in Los Angeles. As a young boy, Christian would follow his mother, a restaurant and hotel consultant, to her jobs. Left free to roam into kitchens, Christian soon discovered his acute sense of smell and taste – which became not only numerous childhood games, but unbeknownst to him, the forging of his future.

Christian also works as an advisor for films and for many top international wine collectors, and as an advisor and designer of numerous wine cellars and wedding menus.  But one belief permeates all of Christian’s work – it is that wine is for all people – not just the intelligentsia. And he says what he believes: “Wine is for everyday people. I don’t want anyone to be intimidated by wine or food. I want my grandmother to enjoy it”.