Lula Drake’s Tim Gardner knows wine and more

Tim Gardner got the wine bug while living in California as a grad student at UCLA.

“Napa and Sonoma were a a half day’s drive away, but the area that intrigued me most was the Central Coast. Paso Robles, in particular,” Gardner said. “The winemakers there were farmers. They got their hands dirty and were just learning about the potential of the land.”

Gardner began taking classes and studying with sommeliers and winemakers. After relocating back to South Carolina, he decided to pursue a second career in the industry. He began as a Certified Specialist of Wine, then became a Certified Sommelier with The Court of Masters, and after many years of study and travel abroad, he received his diploma from the International Sommelier Guild.

Last fall, Gardner, who also owns production company Mad Monkey with his wife, Lorie, became a major part of the revitalization of Main Street when he renovated and revived the building at 1635 Main St. and converted it to Lula Drake Wine Parlour – a name inspired by a gold-embossed calling card found in a decades-old trunk discovered in the building’s basement.

EAT

I’m a breakfast guy, and I love the small plates Sean (McCrossin) has at Drip on Main. My favorite lunch spots in town are Lamb’s Bread Vegan Café, Rosewood Market, Good Life, 2gingers, Spotted Salamander and Motor Supply Co. Every Saturday, it’s Mary’s Arepas at Soda City or Café Strudel for “hangover hashbrowns.” Since beginning work on my wine parlor last year, I’ve had little time for dinner out, but I’m lucky to have one of the finest chefs in town, Pierce Bowers, at Lula Drake. His house-made pastas and other inventive dishes are incredible. I also love cooking at home, and when I have an occasional night off, I’ll hit up Motor Supply, Inakaya, War Mouth, Terra, Motor Supply, Bourbon, the Farm to Table Events and Sweet Cream.

PLAY

First Thursday on Main is something I always look forward to. I also enjoy the Riverwalk, Soda City Market, and walking downtown with my best friend and labradoodle Max Pancakes. Wherever he leads is where we go, so it’s always an adventure.

DRINK

The bar scene in Columbia is very healthy. For beer and mixed drinks, The Kraken, Hunter-Gatherer, Goat’s, The Whig, Bourbon and River Rat are my go-tos. For wine, I never have to leave Lula Drake.

LISTEN

Anywhere the Flat Out Strangers and/or Amos Hoffman are playing in town. Debbie and the Skanks are a favorite of mine, as well as whatever band my brother, Stan Gardner, is playing in at the time. Columbia really needed a venue like Music Farm, and I’ve enjoyed a lot of concerts there. For the car ride, it’s rock. Loud.

SEE

I recently moved to Main Street, so the two places I frequent the most – The Nickelodeon and Columbia Museum of Art – are just steps away.

Janet Jones Kendall, jkendall@thestate.com