San Francisco - August 11, 2006

Dream Machine

750ml Wine Bar Opens

Note to self: Invent high-tech contraption that beams you to the best vineyards in the world with one sip. Get rich. Retire to Bali.

Newsflash: Brian Snelling and Kyle Thomas beat you to it.

Okay, so they didn’t invent it. But they did land the Peninsula’s first Enomatic tasting machine at 750ml, their new wine bar and shop in San Mateo.

Located in a 1915 landmark building, the industrial-chic space is devoted to limited-production vintages from boutique wineries with a soft spot for unusual cabernets and pinot noirs. Using a smart card, vino lovers may sample 24 wines before deciding whether to take home a bottle.

Loungers can peck on Fra’Mani, Fatted Calf, and Santi handmade salumi, artisanal cheeses from Cowgirl Creamery, and sweets by Oakland’s Bakesale Betty while making up their minds. With more than 180 bottles and 28 spirits, such as Square One vodka and Junipero gin, that could take hours.

Now if only there were a machine that made decisions for you.

Break out pad and paper pronto.

750ml, 227 South San Mateo Drive, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, San Mateo (650-342-9463).