Uncorked at Oxbow, a new, state-of-the-art wine tasting salon, opened Monday at 605 First St., across from the Oxbow Public Market.

 Napa’s newest tasting room features award-winning Ahnfeldt wines. Small private groups for tasting and wine education are welcome. Blending sessions will be offered to educate wine enthusiasts on varietals, blend and food /wine pairings. Local artists and musicians will provide ambiance. Open studio events are scheduled throughout the year. Toward the end of the year, Uncorked at Oxbow will release their Carducci wines, a line of Napa Valley Italian style varietals. Stop by, call at 927-5864 or www.uncorked-at-oxbow.com.

“Have I found a place for you!”

That’s what Pieter Kloos, also a downtown merchant (Futons and Furniture), said to Hugo Kleiweg, owner of “Inti,” some 10 years ago. Kleiwig, an international travel guide, had a habit of buying wood carvings, jewelry and unique clothing whenever he visited a country. He’d begun a wholesale business and was considering getting into retail. After the phone call from his friend, he opened Inti, on Main Street for the first five years, and at 1139 First Street for the past five.

Manager Beulah Cartwright describes the Inti’s merchandise as “an eclectic mix of everything cool.” Klewig adds that Inti is an unique collection of imports. Goods are contemporary with an ethnic touch, from Vietnam, Indonesia, Peru, India and other places. Inti is perhaps best known for handcrafted jewelry, but as Klewig adds, they have “something of interest for almost everybody.” Open seven days a week, visit or call 258-8034.

My, how time flies …

Futons and Furniture has been in their new location at 964 Pearl St. for three years and has been in business in Napa for 27. The store now carries art by local artists plus unique accent pieces. Stop in seven days a week. 252-3626.

Missed the last Chefs Market?

That means you missed two great chefs’ demonstrations. Food prepared so far this year includes Maine Crab Cakes with Sweet Corn Peppers, from Greg Cole of Celadon and Cole’s Chop House, and Lassoni Jhinga (Shrimp with Garlic Chilies) from Neela Paniz of Neela’s. All is not lost — the recipes for those and everything else presented at the demos this season are posted on the Napa Downtown Association’s Web site, www.napadowntown.com. Click on the “Chefs Market” icon on the site’s home page, gather the ingredients you need, and prepare a meal that will send the taste buds of your family and friends to whole new places. While on the site, check out the complete listing of musical entertainment.

Next week’s Chefs Market will feature chef Terry Letson of Fume Bistro at 6:30 p.m. and Greg Johnson of Zinsvalley at 7:30 p.m. Dan Dawson will pair their offerings with wine from his First Street shop, Back Room Wines. Enjoy the demonstrations, a free sample of everything, then recreate it all at home, anytime you wish.

See you downtown!

Craig Smith is the executive director of the Napa Downtown Association, and can be reached at 257-0322 or craig@napadowntown.com