Here’s what you need to know: In the heart of New York’s East Village, two of the city’s most revered restaurateurs are redefining the wine bar experience. Joshua Pinsky and Chase Sinzer, behind the award-winning Claud and Penny, have opened Stars—a 12-seat, walk-in-only wine bar with a list of over 1,000 bottles. The concept? A space where wine is the focus, not an afterthought. “We wanted people to know this is a place to pop in and have some wine,” Sinzer says. The bar’s design, a zinc horseshoe bar wrapped by 12 seats, nods to the neighborhood’s artistic roots, including Frank Stella’s abstract paintings on display.
The wine list is a masterclass in balance. A “88 under $88” section offers 88 rotating selections under $88, ensuring affordability without sacrificing quality. “Wine bars should make everyone feel comfortable,” says Julia Schwartz, the wine director. Producers like Julian Haart’s Mosel Rieslings and Spain’s Las Pedreras Garnacha showcase accessible yet bold expressions. Beyond the budget-friendly picks, the list dives into verticals from Burgundy’s elite—Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Dujac, Armand Rousseau—alongside global selections from Italy, Spain, and the U.S. By-the-glass options range from Oregon Chasselas to German Spätburgunder, proving the bar’s commitment to diversity.
Meanwhile, in the Dolomites, Antica Bottega del Vino, a 21-time Grand Award winner, is making its Olympic debut in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Veronese institution, known for its 21,000-bottle cellar and historic roots, now serves the alpine town’s skiers and visitors. Head sommelier Pietro Campara curates a 1,500-label list featuring Veneto’s finest and global icons like Château Léoville Las Cases. Chef Giulio Alberto Debeni blends Cortina’s local specialties with Verona’s classics, from risotto all’Amarone to cuttlefish polenta. The 100-seat space, designed by Menardi Ruggeri Nassivera Architects, channels centuries of tradition with antique woodwork and Dolomite vistas.
Key takeaway: Stars proves that a wine bar can be intimate yet ambitious, while Antica Bottega’s Cortina outpost shows how heritage can thrive in new terrain. Both projects reflect a deeper truth: great wine bars don’t just serve wine—they curate experiences.
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Questions & Answers
What’s special about the new wine bar in Lower Manhattan?
The bar features curated wines, artisanal small plates, and a focus on sustainable practices. It’s a hotspot for foodies and wine enthusiasts.
Who are the tastemakers behind the new wine bar?
The bar is co-founded by renowned chefs and wine experts known for their influence in New York’s culinary scene.
Information sourced from industry reports and news outlets.
