Photo courtesy of Thirty Eight + Vine

I caught Thirty Eight + Vine co-founder Jennifer over the phone on a recent morning. With her young daughter in the back seat of the car, the busy mother of two (safely parked) recounted how a move to Arizona renewed her love and appreciation of quality vino. Her husband recently retired from Major League Baseball.

Several years ago, his career led him to a stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Frequent visits to nearby California informed the TCU grads and Texas natives (Jennifer being from Graham, her husband from Houston) on wine-drinking trends. Folks on the West and East Coasts, they learned, enjoyed the option of sampling quality wines before committing to a full bottle.

Photo Courtesy of 38 & Vine

“We’ve always enjoyed wine,” she said. “With our time visiting California, our passion grew. The [Thirty Eight + Vine concept] was happening on both the coasts, East and West. It was only a matter of time until someone brought it to Fort Worth.”

The Foundry District-based wine bar will have 42 varietals that can be accessed via a long wall where patrons can self-pour after swiping a card. There will also be a sizable selection of Champagne and other bubblies on tap, something that is often missing from Fort Worth’s wine bars, Jennifer added.

Photo Courtesy of Thirty Eight + Vine

“We wanted to make wine approachable,” she said. “It can be intimidating. People don’t always know their palate or what they enjoy. We wanted to make wine enjoyable, something that everyone can experience. You can go in and taste different things. You are spending a minimal amount on a one-ounce tasting, so you can explore the wine.”

The bar and tasting room will sell a wide range of bottles, including many that aren’t on the tasting wall. Jennifer said the general manager Ryan Sussell has went to lengths to find an international selection of vino that will please the connoisseur, college graduate, and casual wine drinker. Filling out the experience will be special events, classes, and themed tastings.

Photo Courtesy of Thirty Eight + Vine

After living outside of Texas for several years, Jennifer is glad to be back in Fort Worth where the “small-town feel” lends itself to raising a family. Opening a wine bar while raising two children is possible, she said, because Sam equally partners with her on child rearing and business tasks.

Sometimes, it’s chaos, she said with a laugh. “We make it work. The children are involved in everything we do. [Thirty Eight + Vine] has been a year in the making. All of a sudden, it’s here. We’re excited to open the doors to everyone. We hope people enjoy it.”

Edward Brown is a writing tutor and piano teacher. He is also an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and volunteers for numerous Fort Worth nonprofits.

The post The Demels Are Opening Their Doors: Thirty Eight + Vine’s Soft Opening first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Business Press

Their new tasting room and wine bar, 38 & Vine, is coming to the bustling Foundry District in December.

Wine lovers, curious tasters, and early happy hour visitors will now sip, taste, pour, and savor from a selection of more than 40 international and U.S. rotating wine selections.

The name comes from Sam’s No. 38 he wore when he retired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and their combined love of wine.

The curation includes a diverse lineup, from crisp whites to rich reds. Tasters can select from 1, 2, and 5-ounce glasses.

“Sam and I love Fort Worth and always knew that it would be our forever home. We wanted to bring a piece of our favorite things from traveling back to the city to share with the community we care so much about,” Jennifer said. “North Texas is thriving and deserves cool, forward thinking concepts to enjoy.”

Located between Downtown and the Cultural District, the venue will feature a tasting room of more than 1,400 square feet inspired by the look and feel of an intimate European cocktail lounge. In addition to their robust wine selection, the beverage menu will include champagne and craft beer options exclusively from DFW breweries.

They’ve also partnered with two local culinary favorites to provide light meals and dessert options.

Fellow Foundry District business Meyer & Sage will have ready-made charcuterie boards, hummus plates, and small salads. Also, Arlington bakery Gold Ribbon Confections will offer an assortment of cakes, pies, and chocolates, based on seasonal ingredients and flavors.

The new business includes a special highlight – a 10 seat private tasting room for small group tastings, educational classes, and private reservations.

The idea came after Sam and Jennifer, both Texas natives, traveled to some of the country’s biggest cities (of which Fort Worth is now one, ranking 13th in population). They also spent a lot of time on the West Coast, having great wine experiences.

They realized North Texas was missing some major innovations and wanted to bring something special to their beloved city.

“One thing I discovered early in my professional baseball career was in order to achieve at the highest level I needed to find a need and develop myself as a fit for that need for each particular team,” Sam said. “In retirement from baseball I’ve taken that same mentality into business. My wife Jennifer and I have often been looking for a relaxing place to explore wines in Fort Worth and haven’t found the place that fits that need. Thus was born 38 & Vine.

“Our goal is to make wine approachable and fun to enjoy from the novice consumer to those just embarking on the journey.”

Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Business Press

Now, their idea has become a reality. The space was conceptualized by local design firm Jessica McIntyre Interiors and features rich, lush decor, complemented by signature wallpaper and cozy furniture.

Jennifer and Sam have been familiar faces in Fort Worth for a while.

The two met at TCU, where Sam was a pitcher for the Horned Frogs from 2005-07. He was then drafted by the Oakland A’s and traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks after three years, making his major league debut in 2010. He retired in 2015, going into the real estate business with Jennifer as agents for the Burt Ladner agency.

They have received several awards in the real estate industry, including Top Realtor, and were honored this year in the Business Press 40 Under 40 awards.

In addition to their career pursuits, both enjoy immersing themselves in philanthropy. Together, they currently serve on the board of The Blast for Cook Children’s Hospital.

The tasting process: The doors of 212 Carroll St. will open to a 25-foot wall lined with 42 specialty wines available for tasting. Once a guest selects their wine of interest, they can “self-serve” by sliding their card to select a sip (1 ounce), taste (2 ounces) or pour (5 ounces) option. This unique approach to service allows guests to taste rare premium varietals or sample a number of bottles before purchasing their selection for the night.

Signature Perks: Valet parking; private tasting room for up to 10 people; wine club membership that will provide discounts, first options to purchase new selections, and event invitations; special at-home or in-office deliveries are available within the city of Fort Worth; lite bites and dessert menu; take-out wine and food.

This article, written by Rick Mauch, originally appeared in the Fort Worth Business Press. The original can be found here:  http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/former-tcu-mlb-player-wife-now-pitching-new-winery/article_df7bde7e-0cae-11ea-9762-cbdfa59b8e0c.html

The post Former TCU & MLB Player & Wife Are Now Pitching New Wine Bar first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

On Thursday, September 24, my fiancé and I had the opportunity to attend an event at 44BOOTLEGGER, the hip retail space turned wine/beer bar to sample the newest addition to their operation. After almost a year and a half, Tommy and Tammy Brown have, with the help of Chef Jaime P. Fernandez, added a French and Spanish-influenced menu designed to be enjoyed and shared while sampling the 44 wines and 44 beers that are in constant rotation at the Magnolia location.

For the press dinner, Chef Jaime’s offerings included a variety of tapas-style appetizers and finger foods that were very well done and went splendidly with the drink selections on offer. The space is small but does not feel crowded. It’s a type of space that encourages visiting with other patrons nearby but is also conducive to a nice evening out with friends or a great date. On the night of our visit, the dining room was busy (44BOOTLEGGER’s website says it can seat 55), full of conversation and background music, but the area never felt cramped or stuffy. Tommy and Tammy seem to have seamlessly made the transition from boutique retail to hip bar and kitchen with apparent ease. Both Browns are friendly and approachable and very eager to talk about their kitchen and bar choices. Chef Jaime Fernandez is a one-man kitchen staff (Tommy helps out, as well; it’s one of many hats he wears) operating in a food-truck-sized kitchen and turning out dishes that many full-size kitchens would envy. Chef Jaime is adept at turning a single ingredient into part(s) of several different dishes with the common denominator (that evening, it was pears) never tasting the same across the selections. This type of culinary chameleon act speaks very well of the chef and his bosses. The chef because, well, he’s knocking out great plates, and the Browns for giving him the chance to do so, something which is not always common among managing owners.

The drink menu is continuously evolving and is rigorously curated by the Browns and their staff. All staff members, led by wine and beer guru Matt, pictured above, are very knowledgeable about the bar and kitchen goodies on offer and, like good food and drink geeks, are enthusiastic and excited to give recommendations and share knowledge about the products. I asked to see the kitchen, and while chatting with Tommy, he mentioned casually that he’s considering expanding. What this could mean is open for debate, but I sincerely hope that whatever the development might be, 44BOOTLEGGER maintains its personality, along with the personalities behind it. This is the type of place I love to take out-of-town guests to show them that there is much more to Fort Worth than barbecue and Tex-Mex. For further information, please visit their website for menu and drink updates, as well as upcoming events (including live music) and hours of operation.

David Geurkink is a recent transplant to Fort Worth. A former zookeeper with Fossil Rim, he is enjoying learning about all that his new city has to offer.

The post A Cozy Evening at 44BOOTLEGGER first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

44Bootlegger (1411 W Magnolia Ave) is a newish Near Southside wine and beer bar. The intimate space hosts musicians (usually singer-songwriter types) on the weekends and offers 44 varieties of vino and an equal number of beers. The bar also sells bottle to go. West Magnolia Avenue doesn’t have open container laws, meaning you can swig your favorite suds while strolling to your next stop.

Nearby Kent & Co. Wines (1101 W. Magnolia Ave) has a decidedly upscale feel without the upscale price tag. Kent & Co. offers 260 different wines by the glass. Each libation is kept fresh using argon gas, which keeps oxygen out. Wines are priced to be competitive with Central Market and other retailers. So come have a glass or two and take the rest home.

Winslow’s Wine Cafe (4101 Camp Bowie Blvd) melds an art deco facade with a contemporary interior. The wine bar offers a seasonal fine dining experience that makes use of what’s fresh ideal for the time of year. Many of the items on the menu (salad dressing, beef stock) are made in house.

Near Alpine, Texas, the rich soils of Cathedral Mountain Vineyard feed the grapes that become Cabernet Sauvignon and other varietal wines at Times Ten Cellars (1100 Foch St). The West 7th-area wine bar and restaurant also offers delectable wood-fired pizzas and a gorgeous outdoor patio.

Put on your boots for a true Cowtown experience because Cowtown Winery (112 W Exchange Ave) has you covered. The full-production winery offers fun takes on wine, including its infamous Wine-A-Ritas (available in peach, Sangria, or blended). Tasting flights of three start at $6.

Enjoy these wine-centric businesses and remember this German proverb: There are more old wine drinkers than there are old doctors. To your health!

While he is more of a lover of beer, Edward Brown is not above enjoying a glass of wine every now and then. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and blogger for Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has published articles in Musical Opinion (U.K.), Canadian Music Educators Journal, and Clavier Companion, among others. When Brown isn’t writing about music, he’s actively involved in the local music scene as an educator, performer, lecturer, and judge for student music competitions. His professional affiliations include the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, where he volunteers as education director, and the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he serves on the board and artistic committee. Brown was born in Bowling Green, Ohio in 1982. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and currently resides in Fort Worth. His favorite leisure time activities include local music concerts and perusing Fort Worth’s growing gastropub scene.

The post Wine Is Bottled Poetry first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.