by ROSS COYLE
Sequim Gazette
David Volmut is promising that, “There will be life in Sequim after six,” and after a successful opening night that attracted more than 50 people and kept him open 90 minutes past closing he’s on board to deliver.
Friday, Jan. 4, saw the official relocation of the Wind Rose Cellars from 155 Cedar St. to 143 Washington St. The move, which began in November and ended in December, takes the wine cellar to a more mainstream venue from its old establishment across from City Hall.
“I think it’s going to be wildly successful,” said local musician Quin Hampton. “It provides a flavor Sequim’s been lacking.”
The “flavor” he’s referencing is a friendly bar open in the evenings. Many of Friday night’s patrons agreed that the wine cellar’s best characteristic was its atmosphere. They said that the bar felt like a calm place to relax and enjoy drinks with friends, with more of a pub vibe than the formal atmosphere of a high-end wine shop.
Volmut said his goal is to create a place for Sequim’s residents to go in the evenings and after work.
“There’s a lot of places downtown that close at 4:59 or 5:59, and they’re closed,” says Volmut, who said he hopes the business will attract teachers, bankers and other professionals looking for a place to hang out.
But beyond the more relaxed atmosphere, the new location offers his growing business more exposure to foot and auto traffic and makes it much easier to find.
“We used to have signs all over town telling people how to get to our spot,” Volmut says. Now new customers can find Wind Rose just by walking down the street.
He also has several events planned that capitalize on the new location’s exposure and convenience, including live music on Friday and Saturday nights and wine tasting classes for those who want to develop their noses.
Volmut opened the original Wind Rose Cellars in 2009 with a focus on making Italian-style wines based on his own Italian heritage. While he produces white and red wines, his focus is overwhelmingly on reds: Two of his red wines won silver medals in 2010 competitions.
While the prices of his wine range from $7-$10 per glass, Volmut says that the premium quality of the wine, supporting a local business and being able to talk with the winemaker about his work make it worth it.
“It’s really an experience,” Volmut says. “The experience they get when they come in here is they’re going to talk to the winemaker and I’m going to be able to tell them about the wine.”
Wind Rose Cellars is open each weekend, operating Friday-Saturday from 1-8 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. in January. In February, Wind Rose will be open from 1-7 p.m. Thursdays and Mondays as well as on weekends.
Contact Ross Coyle at rcoyle@sequimgazette.com.
