The Bistro at Wine Merchants is a unique place in the Triad where you can enjoy a fabulous farm-to-table dining experience, with 21 wines and 16 beers on tap; AND it is paired with a gourmet wine shop, Wine Merchants. They pride themselves on being a place to enjoy the local flair. You will find that they consistently use small, sustainable farms and provide locally-sourced organic and natural food as much as possible. It is also the place to find handcrafted boutique wines that are made in small batches by “mom and pop” wineries, as well as small-production beers.
In November of 2016, Alan Miller and Caleb Flint became majority partners in Wine Merchants and The Bistro At Wine Merchants. Alan’s passion for providing guests with an unforgettable experience and Caleb’s 20- plus years of experience in the restaurant business make them the perfect match for this collaboration. They both have a passion for freshness and quality that is apparent throughout the restaurant and wine shop. Alan’s wife, Sarah Shoaf, also contributes to the quality of the experience. She makes all of the homemade bread and desserts for The Bistro, including cheesecakes whose flavors change weekly.
The dining experience at The Bistro is top-of-the-line. Chef Justin Pinch is involved in the handcrafted menu every step of the way. He uses his experience, having worked in kitchens all over the world, to develop the cuisine. He also takes care to design ever-changing specials based on what fresh local ingredients are available each day. With the exceptional beer and wine offerings, you can enjoy perfectly paired beverages with your meal.
If you come to The Bistro for a meal, you must wander through the Wine Merchants gourmet wine shop, as well. Manager Michael Croezen spends his days gaining knowledge of boutique wines and maintains the shop’s unique inventory. Many of the wines you can find here are not available in other retail shops.
There is more to Wine Merchants and The Bistro at Wine Merchants than you might expect. From a dining perspective, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and even wine-pairing dinners. The wine- pairing events bring you the opportunity to talk about the wines with a knowledgeable representative and also speak with the chef.
If you are interested in learning more about wine, you will thoroughly enjoy the wine tastings and the Wine 101 class that they offer. Wine tastings are the first Monday of every month at 6 pm. You can talk to boutique wine distributors and taste, discuss and then pre-order unique wines at better than retail prices. Wine 101 is the third Tuesday of the month. This class provides an in-depth, informative class on wine—where it is produced, the main wine growing regions, and other information from a certified sommelier. Each class is subject-based or has a regional theme. You will never feel out of place at Wine Merchants, whether you are new to the wine scene or a seasoned wine connoisseur.
If you are hosting a private event, The Bistro at Wine Merchants can help. They provide catering throughout the local area and can host 40-50 people for business or private events at The Bistro and larger events off-site. Their staff will help you create the perfect menu for any event, from tapas to four-course meals and anything in between.
Wine Merchants and The Bistro at Wine Merchants are located at 205 S. Stratford Rd., Suite N, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The Bistro is open for dinner Tuesday thru Saturday, 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM; for lunch Friday, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM; and for brunch Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The wine shop is open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and closed Monday. For more information and a list of upcoming events, you can visit their website at vin205.com and sign up for e-mail alerts.
