Like so many business openings or development projects, this one has taken longer than hoped, but D.L. Bergmeier, general manager and co-owner of the new Central Bottle, is happy to finally swing the doors open today at 10:00 am. What you’ll find inside includes a wide range of wines you’ll not necessarily find in other places. They also offer “provisions” (think cheese, a small selection of meat, canned fish, and chocolate for charcuterie) as well as a range of liquors.
D.L.’s background isn’t one you’d easily imagine translating to the wine business, but it’s happened over several years. He worked with archival framing and worked in Galleries including Hanson and Bennet Galleries locally. Originally from Chicago, he also worked in galleries there. David Ewan and Shane Pack opened Downtown Wine and Spirits in 2007. Shane hired D.L. in 2011 when he was ready to do something different. He’s since devoted much of his energy to learning more about wine.
He describes learning about wine as a slow process. “After about three years I was kind of getting the hang of it. You can’t expect to know everything about wine in months, or even years. It’s lifelong. If you are passionate about it, you continue to learn, ask questions, taste, and travel to understand what makes wine different in different parts of the world . . . I love those moments when you try something new and you aren’t sure why, but it’s an ‘ah-hah’ moment.”
In 2016 Shane moved on to other things and D.L. became manager at Downtown Wine and Spirits and became partners with David. By around 2018 the two began considering opening a second store. Location became a bit of a conundrum as D.L. considered where in the area would make sense for what they do. “We don’t stock commercial wines. Unless you really know wine, we are there to guide you to the wines you will like.” When he saw the building at the corner of North Central and West Anderson was being renovated, he knew that spot was a fit.
“I love the neighborhood aspect and that it is close to downtown.” He said many of their customers live in Old North and Fourth and Gill and many of them shop at Three Rivers Market, making Central Bottle an easy stop to add for a bottle or two. It’s also close to the Interstate and has ample nearby parking. The fact that the two are minutes apart also makes it easier for D.L., who will be managing both locations. He said they felt they had outgrown the space they have downtown and, while much of the approach remains the same, the new space, because of the layout, will offer them the opportunity to comfortably offer tasting experiences and classes, something they have little room for at the downtown location.
The spaces are similar in square footage, but the new space is shaped and designed differently, making it more flexible for their needs. He said their approach has “always been not to keep a lot of inventory in stock. It’s high turnover, rotating inventory a lot. That works out well with the producers and growers we work with.” He said they may get one or two cases a year from some growers.
“My biggest criteria is it being small production, small batch, because you have much better control . . . Everything is hand-picked and sorted.” This often goes together with more natural, unmanipulated wines. He said when the wines are mass-produced and the juice is manipulated:
It takes away the place it is from, which is, I think, the most important thing about wine. Wine transports us to that place where it comes from. It’s a kind of magical experience you get to have without traveling to Europe.
Lauderdale Design with Dani Miller, current Principal Designer and owner, as well as Joy Lauderdale and the team, including Nicole Hamel, joined in to design the new store and D.L. said they did a great job, as is obvious when looking at the place. Construction was handled by Jesse McAlvin of JCM Construction and D.L. raved about the detailed work he did that brought the vision to life. He built all the custom shelving and brought in a specialist to do the beautiful stone tile work.
I really wanted to mirror the experiences I’ve had in wine shops in Europe, but without the clutter. There are cool bottles, and it’s got a very old feel to it, you know it’s been around for a long time . . . Let’s have that kind of experience, but have it be modern and clean.
He enjoys conversations with customers about what they like in a wine and finding them just the right bottle. He said wine doesn’t have to be stuffy and complicated and he wants both locations to feel welcoming and comfortable. He hopes customers might find some wines they enjoy and leave knowing a little more about why they like what they like.
The website will soon include listings of the inventory, much like Downtown Wine and Spirits. Customers can make their selections online and pay for their order but must pick it up as they are not allowed to ship. He said the listing of inventory has drawn customers visiting from out of town who look at the inventory and recognize the quality of the wines they carry.
In the future they plan to develop the patio, providing tables and planters. They can’t sell by the glass, but they could host tastings outside and invite other groups to hold events there. There will be seating for the public. They also hope to have relationships with nearby retail and restaurants like the Marlowe, Zero-Zero, and even Central Cinema.
The store opens this morning at ten, but the official celebrations will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm tonight and Saturday. Tonight, snacks will be provided by Potchke Deli and free pours of champagne and Beaujolais. “It’s just a moment to celebrate.”
The store will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Hours and days may shift with demand. In addition to the website, you can keep up to date on what they’ve got going by following them on Facebook and Instagram.