In a land where there is no shortage of winery tasting rooms and wine bars, how does one set themselves apart from the rest? Wine Girl might have the answer. The Scottsdale, Arizona based wine bar, with a cult-following on Instagram, has plans to expand their brand throughout the country.
Their first stop is in downtown Napa, where their second location is under construction at 1321 1st St. “With Wine Girl, we’ve reimagined the way wine bars should be viewed by approaching the concept in our own style,” says Trevor Johnston, who owns Wine Girl along with his wife Amy Mason.
Though the pair are based in Scottsdale these days, they’re actually from the Bay Area —Johnston himself grew up in Walnut Creek— and it was only natural that they’d want to bring a taste of the wine country back with them to the desert. That said, they knew that there was a certain pretension around wine culture and wine bars in the eyes of the general public.
“We wanted to break the stigma around wine and the idea that most dedicated bars and tasting rooms are these dark, stuffy places where you have to know what you’re doing. At Wine Girl, you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy great wine,” Johnston explains to What Now San Francisco.
Delightfully chic interiors with Instagram-worthy backdrops, plus ample and cushy seating perfect for gathering, are all encapsulated in an inviting indoor-outdoor space. Wine Girl aims to be one of the most open and accessible wine bars around, and everyone who visits should be comfortable enough to experience wine in their own way.
“They should be able to discover wines based on their own tastes,” Johnston says. “It’s okay if you don’t know the difference between a Zinfandel or a Pinot Noir. Wine Girl is here to help you.” Wine Girl serves different sizes by the glass or in flights, so that customers can explore every option that they have on tap or bottled.
Most wines will be sourced locally, of course, from Napa or Sonoma, but there will also be pours from Paso Robles, Washington, Oregon, as well as some imports. Wine Girl’s menu also includes bar bites like flatbreads, charcuterie, hummus boards, and dips.
Ground recently broke on their second location in Napa Valley in the past month. At around 2,000-square feet, the space will be slightly bigger than their Scottsdale version. Johnston and Mason anticipate a grand opening in late fall.
Until then, you can follow @winegirlnapavalley on Instagram for updates.
