After seeing Gourmet Au Bay for sale online in the late 2000s, Bob and Sissy Blanchard were blown away by this distinctive pairing: a wine bar with stirring bay vistas. They made an offer on the spot. “How could you pass up something like this?” says Sissy, pointing to a patio that overlooks the harbor. The Blanchards offer what they call Wine Surfing: your choice of three pours from top California labels, the glasses served to you on a mini surfboard. In the early evening, the deck becomes a lively gathering place for locals. “It’s our town square,” says regular Perry Marker. Pop any bottle from the adjoining shop and pay no corkage fee.