URBAN enoteca

What's a wine lover to do when they don't have the time to head out of town but really want to taste some fabulous Washington wines? URBAN enoteca* is on the case and making it really easy to enjoy some fine wines with food or without—always your choice.

Terry Thompson and his family built a real estate commercial company that he has run for the past 15 years. In 2009, they closed the firm. After the closure, he was asked what his next plan entailed. Someone who knows him chimed in "I guarantee it will be in the wine business." Hating to let anyone down, Terry decided to do just that. He and the family reconvened and set URBAN enoteca in motion. "As we explored the wine industry, it was clear that Washington wine is a phenomenal growth industry with tremendous legs for the future. It became a process of elimination in terms of how we would be involved. I'm not a farmer and I don't make wine." From his time in Italy, Terry recalled the enotecas as gathering places and wine libraries. "They're also places where the grape farmers met and discussed procedures. So we decided to take that social and process part and combine it with what you see at wine bars. Our vision was to create a warm atmosphere where people relax, enjoy each other's company, the venue, wine and food. "The name URBAN enoteca says it all."

Brian (l) and Terry Thompson

Using a building in the Sodo area that Terry has owned since late 2004 (22,000 square feet, plus 150 free covered parking spaces), they've created a wine and food haven. Their Wine Library is currently home to seven wineries. "We're very fortunate in that we got to handpick the wineries," says Terry. "We had three criteria in choosing: 1) they have the greatest wine in the state, 2) they are the finest people to do business with and 3) they have no presence on the west side of the state. We want to offer something that is not available for tasting in Seattle." Each winery has a counter staffed with knowledgeable winery employees, ready to answer any questions. When you check in at the concierge counter after entering through the beautiful wooden doors, your credit card is linked with a library card that you use to purchase a one-ounce taste, a two-ounce pour, a five-ounce glass or a bottle (bottles may be consumed on site or taken away). The system allows you to enjoy your visit with a single transaction, as opposed to hauling out your wallet for each tasting. The Library is home to a fireplace and comfortable couches arranged for conversations.

Wine may have been the catalyst, but food is a huge part of URBAN enoteca. Menu items may be enjoyed in the Wine Library or you can make it a meal in the Library Lounge. Go light with bites, try some small plates or dive right into shared boards and platters. Dishes change seasonally and there is a daily selection of sweets. Chef Chris Opsata is at the helm, creating menus using local, seasonal, foraged items. Prior to coming to URBAN enoteca, he was the executive chef at Bellevue's Tam O'Shanter Golf & Country Club. He moved to the Northwest from Los Angeles where he was executive chef and partner at Corkscrew Café in Manhattan Beach. He is a graduate of the University of Washington and the California School of Culinary Arts. Along with the regular menus, he creates menus for private events and classes for URBAN.

With three separate event rooms, URBAN is set to make any party special. The Blanc de Blanc room (yes, all white) seats 25; the Barrel Room seats 40; and the Riddling Room seats 200 or buffet-style for 175. Custom-made huge barn doors slide across the Riddling Room and the Wine Library entrances, allowing private parties in each or opening for one big celebration. They partner with other companies, like wineknow, on wine education classes, offer their own special events, like Easter and Mother's Day brunches and an amazing quarterly series called Terroir: Meat and Grapes. Working with The Gleason Ranch (grass-fed cattle) and butcher Tracy Smaciarz of Heritage Meats, they invite guests to watch Tracy butcher a portion of a cow, learning where cuts come from and how the cattle are raised and treated. Two sessions have been held and two more are planned to focus on different cuts as well as seasonal changes that impact flavor. In addition, they are partnering with US Travel on Taste of the Vineyards wine cruises, the first with Celebrity Cruise Line in April 2012. They recently added high-end Nachtmann wine glasses (a division of Riedel) to make the look and feel of events even more special.

Now that everything is in place and the brand has been created, what's next? "We want this to be a place where something is always happening and there are always surprises," says Terry. That means more classes, events and special meals. Expanded food options are in the works and there is space for seven more wineries, for a total of 14. And that small plot of land next to the building is just perfect for a small wine garden. Keep your eyes on URBAN enoteca—there will always be new ideas coming from this family.

Connie Adams/May 2011

* URBAN Enoteca has moved to an all-event format as of 2013.