A Vino Break at the Brooklyn Winery
I have a love-hate relationship with Williamsburg. Being born in Brooklyn, I have strong opinions about the state of the borough. I’ve been less than excited about the direction Williamsburg has gone in largely because I fear it’s a “throw away culture,” a place that has boomed fast, packed with young, beautiful things with full wallets and high expectations. Historically, these revolutions last only so long before the young and beautiful move on to the next big thing. But, this weekend, I witnessed growth with substance and saw a project that I feel will stand the test of time.
On North 8th and Driggs, just minutes away from the eclectic energy of Bedford Avenue, you can find a non-descript block of a building, one triumphant little banner hanging over it’s door to let you know that it will soon be the home to the Brooklyn Winery.
During a hard hat tour of this location I opened my imagination up to the possibilities. Crushing machines lined up against one space; fermenting in another room. A wine bar centering it all- a wine bar that, might I add, will be lucky enough to serve vino on tap, yes, straight from the barrel, because of their winery license.
The founders, who bring the oh-so-familiar energy that one only accumulates working an Internet start-up, are excited about, well, life. They’ve got a list of great services that include the ability to make your own wine from a choice of grapes from the Finger Lakes region of upstate, or California’s Sonoma. From the moment you choose your grapes to the minute your lips hit the bottle could take anywhere from 10 months to two years, but the option to completely personalize your own wine is a handsome reward for the wait. And, if you’re no Gary V, bring in a bottle you enjoy and the staff at the winery will taste and sip with you until a nearly scientific recipe is set.
The price for personalized wine is not cheap, mind you. For a custom barrel, which includes access to the entire process (crushing to tasting and even creating your own label when bottling), prepare to paw down from $3550 for ½ a barrel to $5700 for the entire thing. If you’re cool sharing with the ‘nabe, sign up for a community barrel at $300 a case ($25 per bottle) and a minimum of 2 cases per person.
While the winery’s own vino will not be ready till next year, they are signing interested parties up for custom barrel experiences now- and with a first year limit at 100, spaces are flying.
Brooklyn Winery is giving hard hat tours on Saturdays 1-5pm. Regstration via website is suggested, but not necessary.
Thanks so much for coming and attending our hard hat tours. There have been a lot of exciting changes since you were here last. We have gotten brand new concrete floors in our production/barrel rooms and have started work on the wine bar. We would love to have you back to show you the recent developments.