Calvert Woodley Customer Appreciation
Gary Tyree Where are you from?
the breadth and depth of my collection. Then, this typically leads to sipping different blancos or experimenting with crafting cocktails. Do you have a spirits collection? I have amassed a collection of tequila and mezcal over the past two years. I have over sixty bottles of tequila and mezcal. My collection ranges in brand and expression. All are additive-free. 70% of the tequila collection is of the blanco expression. The remainder is made up of reposados and añejos . Luckily, I’ve been able to acquire at least 30% of my collection from CW. What are your favorite tequilas for everyday drinking? I don’t have a favorite everyday tequila. What I choose depends on my mood, company, and meal. Regardless, whether it’s an evening for sipping neat, a cocktail or both, quality options are essential. Do you have a “special occasion” tequila? My special occasion tequila is either the Fortaleza reposado or the Fortaleza añejo . However, I am waiting for a very special occasion to open an ancestral-style mezcal by Real Minero. What do you like best about CW? What I like best about CW…well, it has to be the combination of the personable staff, like Joe Park and Bruce, the variety in options of additive-free tequila — especially the hard-to-find Fortaleza brand, and the very competitive and reasonable prices. Do you have a “spirits philosophy”? My philosophy is simple: if you’re going to consume spirits regularly, choose brands that truly care about their craft and product.
I’m a native Washingtonian. I grew up in Southeast and Northeast until 1998. Since then, I have lived in Northwest. Where do you live now? Currently and since 2019, I live in Wakefield, near Connecticut Ave. and Albemarle Streets. Before that, I lived in 16 th Street Heights for
about 20 years. What do you do for a living?
I am a software application developer with a formal background in Finance. Many of the applications that I have helped develop and have supported were in the finance space. How and when did you become interested in wine & spirits? I have been drinking various types of spirits over the years. I would oscillate between red wine, gin, and tequila. However, about a year-and-a-half ago, I dove deeply into tequila and agave-based spirits. Having graduated from UDC years ago, I’ve known of CW since the late ‘80s. Over the years, I would pass through if I was in the area. In the last four years, I started to shop at CW pretty
frequently, stopping by 3-4 times a month. How does tequila fit into your lifestyle?
I enjoy entertaining small groups of guests at any time of the week. Whether it’s a new guest or a frequent guest, we can explore
Stephanie Schliftman
Do you have a wine collection? My wine collection has grown over the years. I now have almost 100 bottles of special wines and hope to continue expanding it as
I learn more about the wines and styles I like. Do you have a favorite “everyday” wine?
When did you move to the DC area? I was born in Buffalo, NY, but moved to Massachusetts as a child, where I stayed through college. Shortly after graduating in 2005, I moved to the Washington, DC area. I thought I would be here for a year or two and move on, but 19 years later, I’m still
Ugh, there are so many great options to choose from. In the summer, you can find me drinking a glass of Sancerre or Albariño. In the cooler months, my absolute favorite is La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza. I could drink it over and over and love it more each time. I had the pleasure of attending a Calvert Woodley dinner featuring La Rioja Alta and was blown away by all the selections—a truly unforgettable night filled with amazing wines and pairings. When I’m feeling extra fancy, you can find me popping a bottle of Laurent-Perrier with my girlfriends. What’s your favorite cheese? There are TOO MANY go-to cheeses, but my top favorites are any Triple-Crème Brie, Moliterno, and La Tur. Oh, and don’t forget the Prosciutto di San Daniele—a must-have! Do you have a favorite “special occasion” wine? My splurge wine is the La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904, and for Champagne, the Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. What do you like best about CW? The amazing staff! There’s Geoff at the cheese counter who always asks about my children and offers me something delicious to sample, and Joe Park, who always goes the extra mile to help me with my selection or carry a heavy box of wine to my car. Everyone always goes above and beyond. Do you have a wine philosophy? “Life is short, so spend a few extra dollars and buy the wine you really love!”
here. I now live with my family in Bethesda. Where do you work?
Soon after arriving in Washington, I found a great job at Palmer Legal Staffing. I have been with the company for over 18 years and have had the pleasure of finding countless other people their forever jobs. When did you become interested in wine and cheese? I’ve always loved wine and cheese. It’s hard not to! I could always skip any meal and just stick to a simple cheese plate and be completely satisfied. When did you discover CW? I used to drive by Calvert Woodley but never really went in until 2020, right around the start of the pandemic, when I REALLY needed to stock up on wine. It quickly became my go-to wine and cheese store. I visit the store several times a month. It’s by far my favorite store to shop in the DC area, and I can never miss stocking up on my favorite cheese from La Cheeserie. How does wine fit into your lifestyle? Whether I am hosting a mom’s night at my house or unwinding at the end of the workweek with my family, a great bottle of wine is always there. I love having friends over and pairing wines with different cheeses from La Cheeserie.
20 — CALVERT WOODLEY 2024 FALL SALE
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