New wine store features tasting options, ambience

Have you purchased a bottle of wine only to get it home and find, after tasting it, that it wasn’t what you expected?

Of course, you drink it anyway because who, in this economy, can afford to waste $10 to $15?

Michelle Hagan, owner of The Vinery Wine Shop, 120 S. Main St. in Joplin, has found a way to improve your chances of getting what you want when it comes to wine.

“All of our wines are available to taste, so you know you will like what you bought,” she said. “It’s 100 percent satisfaction when you try something new.”

The Vinery has two display cases that contain chilled wine. The chilled wine will be used for the tastings. You can purchase a card for $10 that gives you 15 tastes.

Hagan came up with the idea from personal experience.

“For me, wine is a longtime love,” she said. “I would try something new but have no idea what it was like.”

The shop features a broad selection of wines from all over the world. If The Vinery does not have the wine you want in stock, Hagan can order it. Many of the labels are not available elsewhere in the Joplin market.

“We have over 100 labels that are less than $25,” Hagan said. “Most of them are $10 to $15, which is our target market. We have a lot of independents that we offer only here outside of a few restaurants.”

The shop has a selection of wine accessories from openers to cheese knives and wine totes.

Hagan has taken the Bennett Building, a historic storefront in the 100 block of Main Street, and converted it into a place where wine devotees can taste wine in a relaxed environment. New paint, lighting and tile floors have updated the interior appearance, while the storefront’s original metal ceiling has been preserved.

The building was constructed in 1909. It once was a furniture store, a grocery store and a tavern. It was part of Watts Paint Store from 1971 to 2002. It most recently was C&M Cycle, a motorcycle shop.

The shop provides a comfortable retreat for those who want to meet friends for a wine tasting. Leather chairs have been grouped around small fireplaces for private seating. The shop also has some elevated tables and chairs. Cheese trays will be available.