Art of Wine is changing the idea of what a wine store should be. The new concept features by-the-glass wine tastings to a jazz beat with plans to open by late August or early September at the northwest corner of Preston and Forest next door to The Mercury. Co-owner Alfonso Miller says he wants to provide a hip, funky place for all wine drinkers.
With seven years of experience in the industry, Miller has owned two retail wine stores before this latest venture. He says he closed his McKinney store in 2010 in search of a different location. He found it in Preston Hollow.
Miller hasn’t finalized all the details yet, but he hopes to carry exotic wines from small, independent wineries in France or Italy as well as local Texas wineries. The store’s by-the-glass service encourages customers to stay a while to sample gourmet cheeses and crackers and enjoy live music.
“Something like a two-piece band would make it a place to chill and have a good time,” Miller says.
Construction on the storefront began in February and should be complete in the coming weeks.
“The licensing is the longer part of this process.”
Retail bottles range between $7 and $125. By-the-glass wines are between $8 and $25 each to fit all wallet sizes.
