The Wine Bar Opening this Spring in Oxford

Storefronts don’t remain empty long in Oxford, and that’s the case for 401 S. Lamar. The location will soon house The Wine Bar, where Emileigh’s became Roasted and then closed recently.
The new bar will serve wines and craft beer, along with specialty bourbons and scotches. Owner James L. Valentine plans to offer wine flights, with a selection of five wines for sampling and comparison. He said the bar also will offer the same sampling style with its beers, bourbons and scotches.
“We’ll have some things that are a little more unusual, things you can’t get at the liquor store,” Valentine said. He added that general manager Kevin Brooks is a knowledgeable wine connoisseur and they plan educational events and tastings at the bar.
“If someone comes in and says, ‘you know I don’t know a lot about wine,’ Kevin will teach them about the different choices and selections,” Valentine said.
The Wine Bar will serve food, with small tapas-style plates, such as olives, flat breads, and meats and cheeses, along with sliders that pair well with wines. The menu is not yet finalized, and The Wine Bar plans to offer several other dishes.
Valentine said he will use locally sourced ingredients and grass-fed beef, similar to the farm-to-table concept at area restaurants such as The Ravine.
“We’ll be trying some different recipes and dishes, according to the season,” Valentine said. The bar plans to create some signature dishes, but hasn’t yet finalized its menu.
The atmosphere will be relaxed, a place where guests can spend time with friends. The bar’s décor will be based on a 1920s speakeasy theme, with elegant, but comfortable seating.
The owner is waiting on certifications and approvals from the City of Oxford, but said he plans to open sometime in early spring 2014. The bar is shooting for mid-April, he said, but he expects it may be open a little later, in May.
Brooks will go before the Courthouse Square Historic Preservation Commission today for signage approval.
A layout has not been finalized, but will include a bar and couch seating, with room for 50 to 70 customers. A separate wine cellar for private events, such as birthdays, will seat about 12 guests.
– Gretchen Stone is HottyToddy.com associate editor. You can contact Gretchen about this story at Gretchen.Stone@HottyToddy.com.