New wine bar planned in Grass Valley

Here’s a FoodWineArt magazine scoop: It’s hard to keep a secret when you put a big sign in the window about your business — though there’s not much “gumshoe” reporting going on anymore.

As it turns out, Pilot Peak Winery and Solune Winery — two of the county’s popular wineries — have a big sign in the window at 151 Mill Street in downtown Grass Valley applying to sell wine where The Union newspaper used to be published. They are dated March 23.

The signs refer to the “Grass Valley Wine Company.”

Other wineries are expected to join them in what could become a wine bar and events center at “Union Square” for wine tasting, socializing, holding special events and listening to music. You could showcase local artwork too.

This sounds like a cool concept redolent of Basement Wines over in Colfax, a wine bar and wine shop.

The space has handsome brick walls and wood floors.

Wine tasting rooms in downtown Grass Valley already are booming. Smith will hold a grand opening for its tasting room — formerly Bunce’s Place — in May, joining Lucchesi, Sierra Starr and Avanguardia.

We’ll keep you posted on the progress at 151 Mill St. Judging from the looks of it, I wouldn’t expect anything to open until summer.

UPDATE:
Jacque Wilson, co-owner of Pilot Peak Winery commented here with this additional detail:

“The other wineries will be Bent Metal (which will be opening their doors at the winery on McCourtney on April 10th) and Montoliva.

“GVWC is planning to offer the best urban ‘casual wine tasting experience’ and special events in Northern California. The site lends itself to becoming a ‘destination’ in downtown Grass Valley — with the ease of parking (plenty in back parking lot) and a new ‘BACK DOOR’ entrance which will set the mood for what’s to come! Enough secrets for now… more info as we get closer to opening.”

The Grass Valley Wine Company at Union Square
151 Mill Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945

Thanks Jackie!