About Glendale Wine and Spirits

A locally owned and operated spirits store hosted by wine enthusiasts.

The decision to purchase Glendale Spirits in October of 2006 was a natural step for us. In our middle years, ready for a change, and with a keen, decades long interest in wines and spirits, the opportunity was a logical extension of our goals. Mike, accustomed to being in business for himself, had become a home winemaker extraordinaire, winning many medals in prestigious state competitions, and Sue had been involved for many years in fine dining in both Upstate New York and Sonoma County, California. We joined the American Wine Society in 1993, and benefited a lot from the education and camaraderie gained through our participation with the Ithaca-Cortland chapter. Further knowledge of the wine industry was gained when, in 2001, we spent 8 months preparing to purchase a Finger Lakes winery, only to have the seller change his mind shortly before closing on the deal. Finding another avenue for our passions became a driving force, and before long our conversations with the original owners of Glendale Spirits about buying the store became serious.

In addition to wine, we share interests in music, art, cooking and nature. Possessing complimentary strengths, we work well together. We have some lofty goals and plenty of ideas for Glendale Spirits, and a huge amount of appreciation for our customers for their continuing business, moral support, and feedback. We both truly enjoy the rapport that has developed with our clientele and our suppliers, and welcome the opportunity to keep learning together about wines and spirits.

We consider wine to be a miracle of nature, in partnership with man for around 10,000 years, yet still possessing an element of mystery, surprise, and delight. We very much like a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) “Wine is bottled poetry”, and words from Oz Clarke,”…and to be unable to feel…that the wine on the table, however unsung and lacking in renown, is, for that short moment, perfection itself, is to miss the whole heart of wine – and of life too.”