Our Story

Our Story

Wine Cellar Restaurant is located at 50 University Avenue in Old Town Shopping Center — but long before the shopping center, the site was home to Los Gatos’ very first one-room schoolhouse.

Los Gatos Central School was built in 1875 on what was then called School Street. In 1881, a second building was added, and in 1886 a new school was constructed at a cost of about $9,000. The school closed in 1909, re-opening in 1923 as University Avenue School — styled after the Mission San Juan Capistrano — and served as the town’s public grade school until 1961.

Many of our guests have shared fond memories of their time here as students. When plans were made to redevelop the school into a shopping center in 1966, our restaurant space was excavated by hand from beneath what had once been the school’s auditorium.

Old Town enjoyed its heyday in the 1970s, filled with local artisans selling pottery, jewelry, leather goods, and art, while musicians and performers took the stage at the Old Town Theater and amphitheater.

Wine Cellar quickly became known for its live music, cheese fondue, and extensive wine list — and today, we remain Old Town Center’s only original tenant.

In 1997, Old Town began a major renovation, completed in 2001, and Wine Cellar was reimagined as well. While our floor plan evolved, we carefully preserved the cozy, intimate ambiance our guests loved, adding warm golden-washed walls, custom ironwork, a beautiful cherry and bird’s-eye maple bar, and softly lit mica booths. With the reopening came the birth of our award-winning patio, offering sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains — the perfect backdrop for wine and cocktails under the stars.

The Hauck family has proudly owned Wine Cellar since 1990, and in 2016 we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Today, we continue to welcome guests as family — serving hearty, fresh, and delicious meals made with the finest ingredients:

•    Fresh seafood including our signature abalone

•    All-natural USDA Choice Angus beef

•    Free-range lamb, chicken, and pork

•    Our famous cheese and chocolate fondue

Whether you join us for a romantic date, a business lunch, or a celebration of any kind, we invite you to experience the warmth, history, and hospitality that make Wine Cellar a true Los Gatos tradition.