Living Room Wines Wants to Build Community, One Glass of Wine at a Time | Eater Portland

"Partners Fabrizio Barbagelata and Justin Sedor want their new University Park wine bar to be a community hub, and everything is devised to be welcoming: “We love what it represents to have a space where you feel comfortable coming in and having a great experience that’s been imagined for you,” Barbagelata says. The pair — who settled long-term in Portland from New York City by way of the Bay Area — were charmed by a visit to Division Wines, which they consider their ideal wine bar, from the hospitality of the sommeliers down to the candlelit ambience, and they worked with architect Mark Annen (who designed places like Le Pigeon, Rum Club, and Stammtisch) to bring that vision to a part of town they feel is often overlooked. A free-standing, mid-century modern–inspired fireplace crackles in the corner, flanked by couches that create a lounge-y seating area, while an oval-shaped bar at the center of the space was designed to spark conversation: “We love sitting at the bar,” Sedor says. “It’s a great way to connect with people and meet with people, especially if you have the right person behind the bar to facilitate those connections.” Staying dedicated to accessibility and the “needs of the neighborhood,” the rotating list of 15 glass pours will include a few options under $10, with the most expensive glass going for $14; patrons can also build their own flight—or have the bartender craft a custom flight—of three wines for $20. The by-the-glass list of bubbles, whites, oranges, pinks, and reds will rotate every couple of weeks, and all are available in half-glass pours. “We’re trying to get people to try as many things as possible,” Sedor says. “As someone who doesn’t have a wine background, I’ve learned mostly through trying things that I might not think I’m going to like. We want to be a place where people can explore at their own pace and whim.” Barbagelata emphasizes showcasing smaller family producers that convey a sense of place: “It’s almost this way of traveling and connecting to other people,” Barbagelata says. “These wine labels are real people that you’re supporting just by purchasing that bottle. It feels a little meta, but it’s kind of community-building on a lot of different levels.” Because there isn’t a full kitchen, the menu will offer snacky plates—French onion dip with potato chips, a panini special, deviled eggs, roasted cauliflower bisque—and a selection of cheese sourced from Cowbell. A retail section, inspired by Division Wines, displays bottles from around Oregon and the world across different price points, curated to be fun to browse—“You feel like a kid in a candy shop when you’re into wine,” Barbagelata says. Drawing on his time at 45th Parallel Wines in St. Johns, where he fell in love with building regulars and connecting with people behind the bar, Barbagelata says hospitality and community are central goals: “What’s been really galvanizing to me has been this feeling that what really matters is community and connection,” Barbagelata says. “Creating a space for fostering a more robust community feels really important and I feel privileged to do it.” The wine bar opens today at 4818 N. Lombard Street." - Janey Wong