Star Market
1275 S. Main St., Salinas
422-3961, www.starmkt.com
Star earns another Best Of because its vino team understands it’s about more than good grape juice. It’s about relationships, with growers big and small, local and regional, and the customer, versed or virgin, rushed or rambling. Pointman Victor Kong accesses a catalog of experience to pour out advice perfectly suited for any questions, whether it’s what will work best with pan-fried trout or what’s a great local value that’s overlooked. Fitting that a place renowned for its wines has such a strong sense of place in the community. “How can we compete with the big guys?” they ask. “We’re not really like them.”