A glass of wine contains multitudes. From pairings to tannins, there's a world of information that goes into selecting a bottle, starting with the first and most important question — what do you like?
The staff at Philippe's Wine Cellar in Lafayette loves to talk about what they're into right now. Managing partner Jeff Resweber is fascinated by champagne, and his recent trip to France filled him with even more appreciation for the viticulture and traditions that go into a bottle of bubbly. Miki Kobetz, the shop's general manager, said that she's recently been captured by the rustic charm and affordability of Italian wine.
The wine shop offers something for everybody, and these expert guides — Kobetz is a level 2 certified sommelier, and Resweber is level 1 — are eager to help customers figure out where their taste buds land.
Left, Miki Kobetz, sommelier and store manager and Jeff Resweber, owner, prepare for the European Wine Jeopardy event, Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Philippe's Wine Cellar.
Robin May
"Our philosophy is that nobody can tell you what you taste," said Resweber.
Education has been a big part of the mission at Philippe's Wine Cellar since its founding in 1999 by Philippe Simon, a sommelier and restaurateur from France who immigrated to Lafayette in the '90s with his family.
Resweber was an early customer of Simon's, and credits him with "developing and expanding" his palette.
"I didn't know much about wine, other than I enjoyed it. I came in regularly, and it got to the point where I'd come in, and he'd say, 'You're buying this today. Is there anything else you want?' in a French accent you can't turn down," Resweber said.
Today, Simon has transitioned to a mentorship role while Resweber and his partners have taken on the business. The shop still offers personalized guidance to customers for any occasion they're planning, preferring one-on-one relationship building to sales trends like wine subscription boxes.
"We have customers who we know their palette so well, they can call us and ask us to put a case together for them," Kobetz said. "And based off what we know about their palette and what's new that's come in, we can build a case without them needing to be here."
Miki Kobetz, sommelier and store manager during the European Wine Jeopardy event, Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Philippe's Wine Cellar.
Robin May
There are gems sprinkled around the shop, from high-end vintages to European-imported cheeses and butter. The "Everyday Sips" section in the center of the store is Kobetz's pride, a place where she curates excellent selections in the under-$18 range.
"This Monte Zovo from the Verona region is absolutely phenomenal," she said. "It drinks like a $40 bottle that cost $18 bucks."
At the end of the day, wine is personal. The French term "terroir" roughly translates to a "sense of place." The concept links every single glass of wine to a particular place and environment, imbuing it with the essence of that place's climate, soil, topography and more.
Whether you're attracted to free-wheeling, easy-drinking California wines or the deep-rooted traditions of the French wine-growing regions, wine is one of those elixirs that both roots you and expands your perspective.
Jeff Resweber, owner, refills glasses for participants during the European Wine Jeopardy event, Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Philippe's Wine Cellar.
Robin May
"A lot of times, you'll have sommeliers and wine nerds talking about elderberry and black currant and tobacco — all these terms that a lot of people have never tasted, smelled or experienced. You don't have to know all that to enjoy wine," Resweber said.
Instead, Resweber says that customers describe what's familiar to them, like a grandfather's wood shop.
"Wine, both taste and smell, triggers memories," Resweber said. "If you go to Europe and have a great wine, we can find one that's similar. And when they drink it, it brings them back."
Philippe's Wine Cellar is located at 3809 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week except Sunday. Free wine tastings are available every Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.