If you’ve ever wanted to walk into a business and feel like family, a visit to Black Rock Wine Co. is the chance you’ve been waiting for. Opened in September, the Lakeside establishment is part wine shop and part wine bar with an impressive line-up of mostly European wines and an equally impressive walk-in cooler.
The focus is on the drinks, but there is light fare to accompany your glasses of vino, as well.
A trio of owners—including one who hails from the distribution industry—call Black Rock home. At any given time one of them is likely pouring your glass, which makes for a good opportunity to pick their brains about the terroir in your cup (if that sort of thing interests you).
Take a seat at a high top, a bigger table or the bar: crisp, clean and dimly lit to set the mood. Then, order up. Anything from the shop is sold at retail price so it’s easy to enjoy a bottle amongst friends (and cork what’s unfinished and take it home).
Or, choose from one of the by-the-glass options featured on the chalkboard menu, which changes frequently enough. You’re likely to find some go-to varietals as well as something you’ve never heard of before.
There is also always a wine on tap to try.
A large bay door is one of the space’s prominent features. When the weather is nice, it opens up to the Shops at Bartley Ranch and makes way for patio seating, a feature we’re sure is going to get its fair share of use come spring.
If drinking wine has helped you to work up an appetite, indulge in small bites. The dipping bowl comes with a blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, goat cheese and herbs to dollop onto sliced, toasted baguette. Or stay the traditional route with a charcuterie board.
Newer to the menu, the Black Rock Bar Mix is more than your average bar nuts—a sweet and savory blend of rosemary-salted mixed nuts, house-made truffled Chex, parmesan crisps, honey-roasted chickpeas, white cheddar puffs and dried tart cherries.
For something heartier, you’ll have to venture out, but Black Rock does allow outside food from neighboring businesses (Pasta Fresca and Peddler’s Deli and nearby) including Smiling With Hope Pizza, which has its own long list of accolades.
With the holidays just around the corner, mix-and-match combos will have you completing your Christmas and Kwanza shopping without leaving your glass of vino. Now that’s how we like to shop.
Black Rock is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. When you stop in – tell them we sent you!
