Date Visited: 2/24/23
Website: https://www.vintagewinehcv.com
Vintage Wine Bar & Specialty Foods is a relatively new establishment located the “The Alley” just off of Bitters Road in Hill Country Village, TX. While they do not have a winery nor do they make their own wine, they have wine options from across the world, as well as some other unique items.
Vintage was opened in April of 2022 by Lindsey and PJ Edwards. This is their 2nd concept, with the other being the Meadow Neighborhood Eatery also in the same complex. Vintage offers specialty wines for either on-premises or take-home consumption, as well as an assortment of charcuterie, cheese, and other small bite food options.
Walking in, the decor definitely lives up to its name – it has that vintage feel going on for sure! The time period is nondescript, matching the background music which also fits the vintage theme from a variety of decades. There are some more modern twists peppered throughout, making for an interesting fusion of time periods without being pretentious or uppity. The lighting is soft and ambient – something we both appreciate.
There is also a spacious wooden outdoor deck for those very pleasant nights you just want to sit outside and enjoy a rather quiet evening.
The wine selection features wines from around the world, from classical French and Italian offerings to more New World offerings, and come in a variety of price points. The price point for bottles falls somewhere in between retail and restaurant pricing, so while you’re not paying the least expensive price possible for a bottle, you’re not being gouged as you would at a restaurant.
For our wine selection for the date of visit, we opted for Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California. The wine features aromas of blueberry jam, blackberry, and violets. The palate followed with flavors of fresh blueberry, mocha, and blackberry with a long finish of star anise and soft tannins. Medium/full in body with a medium-length finish. It was easy drinking, pleasant, and went well with our food selection.
For our food, we opted for a two-meat charcuterie plate with gluten-free crackers. The crackers featured a unique, light, and airy texture. They didn’t have much flavor, but we felt that was OK because it allowed the meat and mustard to be the stars of the show.
The mustard itself was quite spicy and had a substantial amount of horseradish. Lynn appreciated and enjoyed this, Laina not so much. The cornichons (mini pickles) had just the right amount of crunch and a pleasant, tangy flavor that was not overly salty. The salami picante (on the right, brighter red in color) had a very pleasant flavor with a slight spice, and the paprika flavor definitely came through. The felino sausage (left, darker colored) was well-seasoned with black pepper, the proper amount of salt, and the tannic flavor of the red wine poked through in the background. They both went very well with our wine selection, mustard, and crackers. We both appreciated how the salami was sliced super thin, making it a pleasure to eat. The mustard and pickles were portioned appropriately to match the rather generous portions of meat!
Other Information:
In addition to the wine and food selection, there is somewhat of a gift shop theme going on, with various crafts for sale, along with specialty flavored oils and some other specialty food items. There is only one single unit restroom, and it is clean and well-maintained.
Verdict:
A great date-night spot, special occasion spot, or just to unwind after a busy week! Small, cozy, and charming, Vintage is sure to please everyone!
Highlights:
- Impressive wine selection at various price points
- On premises or to-go consumption
- Price range falls between retail and restaurant
- Decor lives up to its name
- Soft, ambient lighting
- Small bite food options available
- Built-in retail space
- One single-unit restroom
Texas Bite & Sip 