Enter The Wine Cellar, and two things will immediately strike you.

First, the temperature.  It's cold at The Wine Cellar -- 64 degrees, to be exact.  That's the ideal temperature for storing wine.

Then, the bottles.  All of The Wine Cellar's 2500 different wines are lying sweetly on their sides.

Why?

"Oxygen is the enemy of wine," says Jeff Auman, who, along with his wife Terri, owns The Wine Cellar, the largest privately owned wine shop in Virginia.  When you store bottles upright -- like they do in the "big box" stores -- the corks can dry out.  That lets air in.  The wine can become unstable.  You probably won't enjoy it very much.

And enjoyment is what it's all about for Jeff.  Because he really wants you to enjoy your wine, he'll help you choose just the right wine for your taste, your budget, and the occasion.

Jeff relies most on his extensive knowledge of his stock -- "I have a photographic memory when it comes to wine," he says -- but he also keeps notes on his "regular" customers, tracking what they buy and what they like.  As a result, customers become "like family," Jeff says.  There's never any pressure to buy -- but it's hard to resist such a thoughtful selection of fine wines!

In a rut?  Stop by The Wine Cellar for complimentary Friday-evening wine tastings from 5:pm - 8:pm.  Each tasting explores five different wines to introduce people to new wines, vintages, and varieties.

Still, it can be tough choosing a wine for people you don't know very well.  The Wine Cellar has a lovely selection of accessories -- openers, stoppers, wine racks and more -- for gift giving.  You can also choose from the Wine Cellar's specialty coffees and gourmet delicacies.  And The Wine Cellar is authorized to sell Riedel glassware, famous for centuries for the quality of its hand-blown Austrian crystal glasses and decanters.  Each glass in Riedel's "sommelier" line is designed to complement a specific type of wine.

Remember The Wine Cellar when it comes to corporate gifts and gift baskets.  They'll work within your budget to create a meaningful and memorable gift for coworkers, friends, and family members.  You can walk out with your basket, or ask Jeff to take care of delivery.

Jeff guarantees every bottle of wine he sells.  "You'll never go home with a wine you don't like."