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Simms Restaurants Launch Wine Club

Oct 16, 2024 10:21PM ● By Jeanne Fratello

(Photo via Gestalt)

Adding a new dimension to fine dining in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay, Mike Simms and Simms Restaurants are launching a wine club that offers special wine and restaurant perks for members.

The club features wine selections from esteemed winemaker Dave Phinney, founder of Gestalt and known for iconic labels like "The Prisoner Wine" and "Orin Swift Cellars." 

Wine club members receive a three-pack of premium wines quarterly, plus VIP access and special perks at Simms restaurants, priority reservations, invitations to quarterly launch events, private tastings, and access to a special members-only lounge coming in 2025.

Memberships cost $179 quarterly or $719 annually. Although the first round of club memberships have sold out, you can sign up to join the waitlist for next quarter.

The wine club will debut its inaugural collection at its formal launch party this Friday night at Tin Roof Bistro.

The "Wine of Choice For Our Community"


Simms told MB News that he was thrilled to collaborate with Dave Phinney and Gestalt as the "wine of choice for our community."

"There’s no better partner than Dave to help foster the sense of connection we value in our restaurants," said Simms. "Our relationship goes way back to the early days of The Prisoner, when the restaurant I worked at became the first to serve his now-iconic wine. Dave would personally deliver and label the bottles in the parking lot before bringing them in to pour. The name 'Gestalt,' meaning the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, perfectly captures the spirit of this new collaboration. Dave’s creative genius brings exceptional wines from around the world, each presented under a unique brand for every release."

What makes this wine club different? "Each quarter’s release is unique and a one time offering," said Simms. "So four times a year you’ll get a limited release created by the master himself."

The perks are especially significant to Manhattan Beach diners, because they include skip-the-line VIP reservation access to any Simms restaurant. (The Simms Restaurant Group includes The Arthur J, Fishing with Dynamite, MB Post, RYLA, Simmzy's, and Tin Roof Bistro.)

The members-only lounge, which will be located at Tin Roof Bistro, will give wine club members access for hosting events, wine tastings, and other social gatherings. The Japanese-inspired lounge will also feature a state-of-the-art sound system. "The music will be as important as the conversation and wine," said Simms.

Simms Restaurants Carry on Family Tradition


Simms Restaurants was founded by third generation restaurateurs Mike and Chris Simms together with their father Tom, who is the son of restaurant innovator Arthur J. Simms (founder of numerous eateries including The Kettle in Manhattan Beach, along with Mimi's Cafe.)

Amidst delays in opening their original restaurant concept, Tin Roof Bistro, the team took on a tiny Manhattan Beach space to open the South Bay’s first craft beer pub, Simmzy’s, in 2009. Tin Roof Bistro opened its doors three months later.

In 2011, the Simms partnered with Chef David LeFevre to open Manhattan Beach Post. Building on their partnership, the Simms-LeFevre team later opened Fishing With Dynamite in 2013 and The Arthur J in 2015, also in Manhattan Beach.

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