The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Wine, bourbon & more
3 new tasting experiences opening in Louisville
Louisville’s cup continues to fill up with places to get something to sip. ● More is on the way, including a wine room from a Washington-based brand, a bourbon bar with ties to Bob Dylan, and a bottle shop and tasting room near Louisville Slugger Field downtown. ● Read on for details about three new-to-Louisville spots to try.
Bottle Shop & Tasting Room
207 St. Preston St., bottleshopandtastingroom.com
Perhaps you can tell from the name what this downtown establishment has in store. The 1,200-square-foot Bottle Shop & Tasting Room recently soft-opened with limited hours and has a grand opening on Saturday, April 20.
The business comes from brothers Sam and Kaushal Karia, the owners of Primo Liquors, which has several locations in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They are branching out of the state with a store in Louisville.
“What’s cool about our concept is it’s not just a bottle shop,” Sam Karia told the Courier Journal. “We’re trying to create an experience for locals and tourists to come here and enjoy.”
Customers can try pours of a wide collection of bourbon, whiskey, and tequila, as well as glasses of wine and fresh-made cocktails. He added he hopes to host events and classes and has plans to open another beverage-themed concept in the next-door property.
The spot will be open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-10 p.m. Sunday
J Bell Wine Co.
2704 Frankfort Ave., jbellcellars.com
A new wine room is coming to the Clifton neighborhood, adding to a long list of spiritsfocus locations. It will sit between Margaret’s Fine Consignments and The Shop, a craft beer bar and bottle shop. It will also be a short walk from The Wine Rack, 2632 Frankfort Ave.
The Teslo family started J Bell Wine Co. in Zillah, Washington, then added another location in Woodinville, Washington, to continue to “celebrate the flavors of Washington,” according to the winery’s website.
J Bell Wine Co. sells a variety of wines, including Malbec Columbia Valley, Red Moutain Syrah, Walla Walla Syrah, Sangiovese, Marsanne, Rose’ of Grenache and more, all produced as small lots of single varietals and blends with fruit from the Yakima Valley’s most acclaimed vineyards.
“We employ traditional cellar techniques, fermenting and aging in oak, unfined, unfiltered, and blended to bring you something truly incredible,” according to its website.
You soon won’t have to travel too far to sip on those flavors, when the “brand new tasting room,” mentioned on J Bell’s site, opens.
The Last Refuge
600 E. Market St., thelastrefuge.com
A first look at The Last Refuge, the multi-concept venue from Heaven’s Door Spirits, is coming soon.
When the doors open of the former Refuge of Kentucky Church, you’ll see a renovated space including a restaurant, whiskey bar, and live music venue, the Courier Journal previously reported. The Last Refuge is expected to open in the coming weeks, but you can already see a hint of what’s special about it from the outside, where a photo of music legend Bob Dylan, co-founder of Heaven’s Door Spirits Company, is posted.
Heaven’s Door has also bought the property to the east of the church, the former Zephyr Gallery, and plans to build a 15,000-square-foot building to house an immersive art experience that will feature Dylan’s paintings and metalworks (like those seen on Heaven’s Door’s bottles) as well as other artists’ creations, the Courier Journal previously reported.
While this addition to NuLu promises to be more than a tasting experience, there will likely be tastes of what Heaven’s Door has brewing.
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.