Wine bar opens in historic building
A NEW wine bar has opened in one of the oldest buildings in a Derbyshire town.
No 33 in St John Street, Ashbourne, underwent a transformation over the summer that included upcycled and recycled furniture.
The wine bar will breathe new life into the 17th-century building, which has seen many guises, from The Green Dragon Inn and The Green Dragon Baker to The Dining Room and, latterly, Artisan Café Bar.
It is owned by Pete and Laura Dale, who have forged a reputation for expertise in hospitality, having previously run The Dining Room, before moving on to Jack Rabbits Café, and the Green Man pub.
Laura said: “After a seven-year hiatus from The Dining Room it is wonderful to be back, and there’s a warm welcome to everyone who’d like to come and visit our beautiful old building.
“We will have an exciting range of over 100 wines to choose from and some of our wines will be specially selected every month by our wine ambassadors.
“We will update you soon on how you can become one of our ambassadors.”
Laura has used her interior design and restoration skills to fit out the building’s interior with interesting pieces of furniture and fabrics, which complement the original features that date back to 1604.
But the antique feel of the furniture will be contrasted by a high-tech Enomatic wine dispensing machine, sourced from Norfolk-based firm Eno Direct, which will initially be supplying a dispensing machine capable of holding eight bottles for the upstairs area.
The machine, designed and built in Italy, is becoming increasingly popular in the hospitality industry. It enables customers to choose wines on a digital display, which are then dispensed in precise measures into their glass.
Laura said: “Over two characterful floors we have the downstairs area which is a sociable and relaxed area to enjoy the wine and food experience and upstairs under the old beams it is laid out for larger groups and wine tastings and will be home to our wine dispensing system.
“This will be unique to Ashbourne and the experience will enable customers to sample a wide cross-section of wines perfectly preserved and served at perfect temperatures each and every time.”
Laura hopes to bring a range of cheese and charcuterie to the wine bar, including British, Spanish and Italian cheeses and cured meats, to pair with the ever-changing wine list.