This is how I pour my wine, actually.
Recently, Erin and I got a very special glimpse into what we’re sure is going to be one of Brooklyn’s coolest hot spots – Brooklyn Winery.
Located on North 8th between Roebling and Driggs (take the L train to Bedford), the winery has a great mix of activities for the budding – or already experienced – wine connoisseur who either wants to a.) make their own wine b.) enjoy wine or c.) all of the above. Yes, you read that right. Make your own wine.
The proprietors, John and Brian, alongside right-hand man, Ryan, recently gave us a tour of the new facility, as well as an overview of everything the space will include. Our favorite details after the jump – but you can also go see for yourself! Open house “Hard Hat Tours” are Friday’s from 5pm-7pm and Saturday’s from 12pm-5pm. Sign up by visting www.bkwinery.com.
The coolest attribute of the new space is that it takes the ability to make your own wine out of the far-flung farms of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and upstate NY and places them right here in the city. There are two options for those interested:
- Custom Barrel Package. Though the price may seem high (ranging from $3,550 – $5,700 dependent upon how many bottles you buy but more on that in a second…) you can truly learn the process of wine making through the Custom Barrel package. Working directly with head winemaker Conor McCormack, your group – be it friends, family or co-workers or a mix of all three – will have a hand in every decision of the process, including picking and crushing the fruit, pressing, racking, tasting and bottling. Dependant upon your package, you’ll net between 150 and 300 bottles – and can even create your own label. (Therefore, the price actually breaks down to between $19-$24 per bottle, which is a nice average for a good bottle of wine.) It’s like a DIY dream come true.
- Community Barrel Package. For those that don’t have the friend count or dough to make the custom barrel package work, the community barrel package for $600 is the next best option. You’ll be paired with others interested in the same varietal as you and given invitations to take part in all the various steps of the process. While you forfeit a little bit of the absolute control, you’ll still learn a great deal about how your particular varietal was made, and you walk with at least 24 bottles.
- Just come hang out. If neither barrel package works out for you – fret not. You can always just come to taste the house wines and sample the reserves at the main bar. We only saw the rough space – but if the keeping of the original, ornate roof is any indication, it will pay homage to both the unique architecture of this particular area of Brooklyn and be thoroughly modern at the same time.
Let us know in the comments if you head over and if you buy a package! Or, if you see two girls at the bar just a little worse for wear, that’s Erin and me. Come say hi.
