One of Napa’s go-to spots for a glass of wine and a serious cheese haul is packing up its cutting boards. Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant, a staple inside Oxbow Public Market since 2008, will close its stall on December 31, owner Peter Granoff said. The shutdown will end a long-running downtown nook known for its expansive cheese counter, intimate wine bar, and retail shelves loaded with bottles. Granoff plans to funnel his business resources into Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant in San Francisco and launch a new artisanal cheese concept there in spring 2026.
Granoff confirmed the planned exit in an email to reporters, saying the company is refocusing on its Ferry Building operation, according to the Napa Valley Register. Local newsletter writer Paul Franson first tipped off readers to the move in his NapaLife bulletin, the Register noted.
The shop’s story at Oxbow starts back in January 2008, when it opened as an offshoot of its San Francisco operations and quickly became known for pairing boutique wines with a broad cheese selection, according to Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant. Owners Peter Granoff and Debbie Zachareas also operate Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant in the Ferry Building along with other Bay Area outlets.
The market itself, at 610 and 644 First Street, hosts roughly two dozen food-focused vendors, according to Oxbow Public Market. Earlier in 2025, the departure of restaurant C Casa drew fresh attention to Oxbow’s vacancy pipeline and the challenge of filling larger spaces, as reported by The Press Democrat.
What Comes Next
For now, Granoff’s group is not chasing another downtown Napa site. He told reporters there are no immediate plans for a new local address, with attention fixed instead on the Ferry Building, where an artisanal cheese concept is targeted for spring 2026, according to the Napa Valley Register. The refreshed San Francisco operation is already in motion, and Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant lists its Ferry Building address, hours, and contact details as the plans take shape.
Napa customers still have some time to stock up. Oxbow Cheese & Wine will remain open through December, and its phone number (707-257-5200) and website outline hours and ordering options for the holiday season, according to the store’s site. Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant is asking patrons to keep an eye out for schedule updates while the Ferry Building project moves forward.
