Introducing: Vino 100 Polaris
I recently became “LinkedIn” with a lovely local wine entrepreneur named Liz Avera. She currently runs Vino 100 in Polaris. Liz and I have much in common. We have work experience in both marketing and wine as well as love to write. Her experience is more extensive than mine and I intend on absorbing much of her knowledge.
Since Liz is a writer as well it is only appropriate to let her tell the story (as I probably would not give her enough justice!) So without any further ado … allow me to introduce to you my new friend, Liz Avera:
THANK YOU for your generous offer of blogspace and inviting me to provide content regarding Vino 100. (It’s a copywriter/marketer’s dream come true!)
How this all came about is kindof a fluke. I had been a copywriter forever (almost 20 years), but I’m also a research geek (have a Masters degree in Library and Information Science — because I love finding and sharing information.) In August, 2006, I was at Ten United (now Engauge), working on an ad for one of our bank clients. The ad happened to be a profile of one of the bank’s small business customers — a beer and wine wholesaler — located in Traverse City, Michigan. So I’m doing some background research, looking through all these online articles in the beer and wine trade journals, when I stumble across a description of Vino 100 — a wine store franchise with a really unique concept.
Now, I certainly had not been looking to open a retail business, and while I’ve always been into food and wine, I wouldn’t really call myself an “expert.” But after so much time in the advertising world, I knew a good, consumer-centric idea when I saw one. So I decided to check it out.
One protracted lease negotiation, lots of training, and many (15ish) months later, I, along with my husband and a friend of ours, opened the Vino 100 store at Polaris Parkway and Cleveland Avenue.
Our mission is basically to make good wine accessible to everyone, regardless of income, background, or level of wine knowledge. We carry 100 wines all priced at $25 or less, and each one has a “barometer” (point-of-sale tag) indicating its flavor (fruity to dry) and body (light to full). The store is arranged not by grape varietal or country, but rather by taste — all the reds on one wall, progressing from lighter to heavier bodied; all the whites on another wall, progressing from lighter to heavier bodied. Once you find a wine you like, you can use that flavor and body profile to find others that match your taste.
Speaking of tastes, we do winetasting every day (we have at least 8, and usually 12 different wines open) to orient customers to the barometer system and help them start to figure out their own palate. We also host instructional events, private events, even off-site events (“Wherever Winetastings”) — all to help people learn about wine and–most important–learn what they like.
Because I’ve always viewed wine drinking as a very social activity, I wanted Vino 100 Polaris to be a “gathering place.” We have seating for 24 (plus another 8 on barstools), and we serve wine by the glass, along with gourmet cheese plates and a Mediterranean plate (hummus, couscous, and eggplant). For the summer, we started offering 5 o’clock flights — every Monday from 5 till 8, we feature a flight based on a particular theme. So far, we’ve had the Tour de Blancs (Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, Chile and the Loire), and Italian Oddities (a Nero d’Avola, a Rosso blend, and an Aglianico).
I would love to show you around the place — and have you taste some of our great wines. We have private events scheduled for June 3 and June 11, but other than that, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually pretty slow. If there’s a certain day/time that’s convenient for you, I can make sure I’m around. (Our store manager, Jim, is there all the time. I’m sometimes off-site, trying to work on marketing and content for our events.) We’re open 11 – 8 Monday through Thursday, 11 – 9 Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday.
By the way, if you have any books you’d like to get rid of — and want to pick up some good summer reading in return — we’re having a book swap at the store this Saturday. Details are on our website calendar.
Our website: www.vino100polaris.com
Other contact info: phone: 614.895.VINO; email: info@vino100polaris.com
I’m also attaching a couple of photos of the store — in case you wanted to post them.
Looking forward to meeting you in person.
And thanks again — in advance — for spreading the word.
Cheers!Liz Avera
Many of you know by now (from past posts) that The Beer Wench is a wino as well (I even coined my own term for a champagne lover … CHAMPAGNIAC). I worked in a wine boutique when I lived at home in NY and when I managed a local restaurant I was in charge of all things beverage. I’ve run a few wine tastings in my past and anticipate running more in the future. IN FACT, I propose that we do a Drink With The Wench wine themed event — possibly at Vino 100 Polaris (if they would be kind enough to host it).
Thanks again to Liz for her guest post! I look forward to tasting your wonderful collection of wines!!!
Tagged as Beer Wench, the beer wench, vino 100 polaris, wine+ Categorized as Beer & Wine, Beer Events
Trisha Jackson June 1st, 2008 at 11:03 am
I’ve been meaning to get up to that one! I’ve tried “The Winery” at Lazelle and 23 (North) and had an awesome time there too.
Keep us posted, I’d love to do a tasting!
Kara June 14th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I work close to here and come here often. LOVE this place! Everyone here is so helpful and I love that there are so many wines to taste in a daily basis. They will also break out the cheese and bread upon request and accommodated our fairly large group with separate checks. A tasting here would be awesome!