A new D.C. wine shop plans to put a unique spin on its classes when it opens its doors later this month.
DCanter is a new addition from husband and wife team Michael and Michelle Lim Warner, opening at 545 8th St. SE on Barracks Row. The restaurant will be a boutique wine shop specializing in smaller producers (Michelle Warner mentions Lovingston Winery and the zinfandels of Lodi, California as some recent favorites), as well as craft beer.
The shop has a tasting room that Warner says feels more like a restaurant than a retail shop, where they will host tastings and events. The shop will host wine classes as well, with an unusual twist — they've set up a camera and video operation so that attendees can Skype and communicate with the actual winemakers and brewers. One of the early classes will focus on Georgian wines with a virtual speaker from the country of Georgia. Classes will also include beginner wine seminars and themes such as "The Grape American Road Trip." "Many wineries are family-run and people put their heart and souls into making these wines," she said. "The same goes for brewers; they can tell their story much better than we can."
DCanter is shooting for a soft opening next week, with a grand opening on July 23.
· DCanter [Official Site]