CLEVELAND — With its much awaited opening on Friday, the Wyne Tasting Bar in Gordon Square is bringing a brand new experience to Cleveland vino lovers.
"We are Cleveland’s first and only self-pour wine tasting bar," co-owner Belinda Klein told me, explaining how the self-serve system works. "Guests can purchase just a taste, half glass or full glass of up to 32 wines dispensed via our high-tech wine preservation and pouring system."
I've personally experienced this kind of system while living in Los Angeles, and can tell you, it's divine just like the dozens of reds and white on the menu at the Wyne Tasting Bar, cheekily spelled with a "y" instead of an "i". When I asked Belined, "Why the 'y'?" she told: "Y not? We are different from every other wine bar, so why not have a different name?" Fair enough!
And the menu available at this completely unique experience for Clevelanders is so good, in fact, that even with more than a decade of hospitality experience in Australia under her belt, Belinda can't name a favorite vintage.
"It entirely depends on the day and my mood," she said. "And that is the beauty of my bar. With the ability to self-pour just a taste, half glass or full glass or wine, I and my guests get to change it up every visit, or if you are like me, throughout the night!"
Should people want to make a night of it, there will be plenty on hand to snack on with charcuterie boards and hummus platters available to pair with your drinks. When it comes to the options available to pour, Belinda and Jay brought in an expert by the name of Mathew to fine-tune the final selections.
"As much as I love wine, I will never be a wine nerd," she said. "I have deep respect for the extensive wine knowledge Mathew has and I trust him completely. I do have veto privileges but for every selection so far, Mathew has been right on the mark."
As for the chic yet casual décor, Belinda and Jay turned to Koludro Construct to bring their dreams into reailty. "From the beginning I had a very clear vision for how I wanted the bar to look. Modern, stylish and inviting," she said. "It was the amazing Mike from Koludro Construct who brought my vision to life and is responsible for all of the extra special touches." Those special touches include textured walls, marble tabletops and live-edge wood surfaces that make the space extra cozy and easy on the eyes.
Now that the construction is complete, Belinda and Jay are happy to welcome guests into their charming space, located at 6800 Detroit Avenue, and are excited about being the newest addition to Gordon Square.
"I was looking for a super cool neighborhood in the inner west side and Gordon Square is it," Belinda said. "It is a developing area with lots of great buzz about it."
She's certainly right about that, and the latest place to get in on that "buzz" is the Wyne Tasting Bar, where the Kleins are thrilled to be venturing into bar ownership together for the first time.