Exploring Enomatic at Vino Venue
The first time I heard of the Enomatic was while travel planning for the Tuscan region of Italy. There were so many wine destinations I had in mind to visit- Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino, San Gimignano, and several others in between. But I knew in the time that I had, there was no way I could possibly visit all of these places in one trip. Yet, I was still eager to try the different wine styles from as many regions as possible. And then I stumbled across the perfect solution. The Enomatic.
It must have been on TripAdvisor or a travel blog where I learned about these enoteche (wine bars) in Tuscany that feature specially designed wine dispensers and preservers called the Enomatic system. This technology offers travelers the convenience of sampling wines from many different places, all in one stop, without having to travel to all of the individual villages. What a superb idea!
I have since learned that my “stumbling” across this wine tasting option was in fact no coincidence. As it turns out, the creator of the Enomatic system is an Italian entrepreneur who developed the technology right in the heart of Chianti. No wonder this travel tip popped up while I was researching wine tasting in Tuscany!
And now for the drum roll…Vino Venue, a beautiful, multi-experiential wine bar in Dunwoody opened by the Atlanta Wine School, has brought to Atlantans and guests alike, an exceptional wine experience through exploring the Enomatic, yes, the very same system originally designed in Italy.
The way it works is that visitors have the option of obtaining a card at the front desk and then add whatever dollar amount they desire, the same way you would a gift card. The card is then inserted into the self-serve Enomatic machine which dispenses wine in sample, half glass, or full glass servings. Prices start at just under $2 for the sample, of course depending on the wine.
The really nice thing is that not only can visitors select from a wide variety of Old World and New World wines, they also have the pleasure of trying higher-end, fine wines by the glass, a luxury that most wine bars are not able to offer, simply because of cost. There’s even a Sauternes (an elegant, sweet wine from Bordeaux, France) available for sampling….unheard of in most wine venues I’ve visited!
For those who already know what they like or who prefer traditional bar pourings, Vino Venue offers an amazing selection expertly recommended by the friendly, wine-savvy staff. And if someone in your party is not into the vino experience….no worries. There’s a collection of craft beers available to choose from that would satisfy any beer enthusiast.
Then there’s the food. Chef Faye Stein from California, who originally trained to be a pastry chef, presents a distinctive and tasteful tapas menu. The small plate selections include vegetarian options, duck foie-gras, cheese and meat plates, and various flatbread dishes.
At Vino Venue, guests will find an inviting interior with conversation areas, wood tables, dim lighting and soft lounge music. Towards the back is an event space that includes a full kitchen where cooking classes are held.
The venue also hosts wine courses from beginner to advanced levels, private events, and even welcomes children’s birthday parties where the little ones are supervised by adult staff while parents enjoy a glass of wine or beer in the lounge.
Vino Venue
4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Dunwoody, GA 30338
