“We’re new to the whole restaurant thing,” said Chad Mena, who runs Bella Fiore Wines with various members of his family. “But we always had fun traveling to wineries and we picked up a lot of knowledge, so we decided to give it a try.”
The shop, which opened last week, features a wide variety of wines available by the glass or the bottle. Customers are able to buy wine to take home or to sample one of the daily selections paired with cheese, fruit and meats, Mena said.
The shop will also feature tastings hosted by regional winemakers and themed nights, such as ladies’ nights, he said. The shop will also offer a selection of snacks from the nearby Firkin & Fox pub, while that bar will offer a short list of Bella Fiore wines, Mena said.
“The goal is to have a tasting or something like that every day,” Mena said. “Different winemakers are in town every week or two, so it’s just a matter of scheduling.”
Joined by various family members, Mena and his fiance, Brandy King, did much of the remodeling work on the storefront, which has previously served as a gas station, an art gallery and a Pony Express stables, they said. The rustic space seats 34, including outdoor seating and a winding bar.
Mena said he expected cabernets and zinfadels to be among the most popular offerings early on, but he and King said several other wines were among their favorites.
Tags: amp, art gallery, bella fiore, brandy, cabernets, family, Family Affair, family members, fiance, firkin, gas station, mena, regional winemakers, snacks, storefront, wine shop