This winter, Corona del Mar will see the grand opening of the Vin Goat cheese shop, where you can consult with a trained cheesemonger, sample before you buy and even pick up a perfect bottle of wine or beer to go with your selections.
“It’s our passion,” said Erich Vogel, co-owner of the shop that will be located at 3326 East Coast Highway. “This is a dream we’ve had for awhile. It’s been building and gaining momentum.”
Vogel and business partner John Bennett both had marketing careers until about five years ago, when they each decided to change directions and follow their love — food. Vogel attended The Cheese School of San Francisco, and Bennet studied at the The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley, specializing in pastry making. Plans to open Vin Goat in Corona del Mar began to take root about a year ago, but it took them months to find the right location and be able to move forward.
“We’ve both had a lot of interest in food and wine,” Bennett said. Bennett lived for awhile in Europe, and they both have traveled extensively, which led to their love of artisan cheeses in particular, which are hand-crafted and usually made in small quantities.
Their goal for Vin Goat is to carry as many as 200 varieties from throughout the world — the most of any shop in Orange County — but at first they likely will offer about 100 different kinds.
When you shop at Vin Goat, they said, Vogel will have cheeses that are perfectly ripe and ready for eating. He’ll talk to you, ask you about your preferences and let you sample. They plan to sell wine, beer and other products to compliment the cheese — and they plan to remember their customers and build relationships.
“This is a huge part of it,” Bennett said. “We want to be engaged. We think Corona del Mar is a perfect place for us.”
Party platters and gift baskets will be available with charcuterie, and Vogel said he’s considering having a “Rent a Cheesemonger” party plan, and Bennett said he hopes to bake bread for the shop at some point.
Currently, they are working on plans and permits with a hope of opening before Valentine’s Day.
The name Vin Goat was selected to be playful yet classy.
“We really want this to be a fun experience for our customers,” Bennett said. “Not something that’s stuffy or complicated. We want people to feel very comfortable, to taste the cheese and learn about them.”
Corona del Mar and Newport Beach foodies, they said, could help them with one particular goal.
“Cheese trays are wonderful,” Vogel said. “But I would love to bring back the cheese course.”
