All about us
We have been serving the Kirkland Community for 40 years with the largest privately owned wine selection on the eastside. Over the years we have slowly grown into a fun place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine, whether indoors or on our large water view patio.
When it began…
Al Dinunzio and wife Jane started and named The Grape Choice in 1983. It was located in the Park Place mall as a wine and cheese shop. It moved about a year later across the street next to what most of remember as the Crab Cracker, a fish restaurant, this is where we were located when they sold the store to Larry Springer in 1986.
The Sweet Era
Larry and Penny Sweet owned The Grape Choice in various locations in downtown Kirkland over the years. Larry and Penny both served the Kirkland Community in many ways. Both have served as Mayor of Kirkland during the course of owning The Grape Choice. Larry is now a senior Legislator in the Washington State House of Representatives and Penny is still on the Kirkland City Council. Penny is the founder of the Kirkland 4th of July Parade and Celebrations, and The Grape Choice served as the headquarters for many, many years!
The Next Chapter
We moved down to the waterfront approximately 20 years ago, and 16 years ago settled into our current, and most favorite location. Late in 2022, Larry said it was the right time for them to sell, and on April 1, 2023 Desirae took over as the Sole Owner and President of The Grape Choice. With a huge amount of help from both of her two, now teenage children, and a loving partner in life, and the ever growing and loyal customers, we are looking forward to our bright future here at “The Grape”.
Desirae’s journey
Desirae Ballard began working bar shifts for the Grape Choice in 2008. She was a stay at home mother of a 6 month old baby and was looking to expand her wine knowledge and become a bigger part of the Kirkland Community. Desirae was a board member for over a decade as well as serving as President of the Rotary Club of Kirkland Downtown. What started as a part time job of 4-10 hours per week quickly became an important part of Desirae’s life. The community of customers as well as the importance of The Grape Choice to the city of Kirkland was so overwhelming that it wasn’t long before she asked if she could have first right of refusal when Penny and Larry were ready to sell and retire. Over a decade would pass after that conversation and the opportunity for Desirae to serve as Store Manager came at the right time. Less than 2 years later the pandemic hit and it was then that really changed the trajectory of The Grape Choice. We banded together to make our space a safe one, with patio heaters and tents outside, strict rule following, and believe it or not, a lot of fun events, the Grape was reborn.
