Le Vignoble, the much-anticipated new wine lounge and shop at Bristol’s Finzels Reach, opened its doors to the public at the weekend (Saturday 16th November).
Dubbed a ‘wine heaven’ for lovers of the grape-based tipple, Le Vignoble allows customers to sample wines from all over the world in the atmospheric surroundings of the restored heritage brewery building.
French for ‘the vineyard,’ Le Vignoble will be offering up to 64 wines in a sophisticated bistro-style environment. The changing monthly selection of wines will be available from innovative self-service dispensers that keep the wine at the perfect temperature.
Le Vignoble is on the ground floor of the historic Fermentation Buildings and the interior has been decorated in keeping with the stunning industrial location with reclaimed wood tables, vintage lighting and aged leather Chesterfield sofas creating a relaxed and informal environment to enjoy the wine and food.
At 2,500 sqft and 100 covers, this will be first Le Vignoble in Bristol and the largest of their three sites, the others being based in Bath and Plymouth.
Le Vignoble founder Yannick Loué is on a mission to take the snobbery out of the wine tasting tradition and help everyone to sample new wines and flavours. Every wine comes with tasting notes and all staff are highly trained experts able to guide novices towards new grapes, regions and varieties.
An authentic French tapas-style food has been created to perfectly compliment the wine. The menu includes meat and cheese platters, much of it imported direct from Paris, alongside several traditional hot dishes. There are also craft beers and ciders all sourced from the South West.
French founder and wine connoisseur Yannick Loué, says: “I really want to democratise the wine tasting process and make it accessible to everyone. So many people stick to well-known wine brands because they don’t have an easy way to find out more about the huge variety that’s available. By enabling people to help themselves and sample wines in smaller quantities, people are encouraged to become more adventurous and really find out what they like.”
Yannick Loué says: “Finzels Reach is the perfect place for us to open in Bristol. It’s right in the heart of the city, in a wonderful historic building which oozes character, helping us to create a stylish but informal atmosphere. I’d like to extend a big invitation to the people of Bristol to come in and find out what we’re all about.”
The Le Vignoble concept is likely to be a big hit with the growing number of people living and working at Finzels Reach, which is now home to Channel 4’s creative hub, as well as those coming from across the city to relax in this new eating and drinking destination by the harbour.
Gavin Bridge, executive director at Cubex, the developer behind Finzels Reach, said: “Le Vignoble brings something completely new to the city’s eating and drinking scene and I, for one, can’t wait to try it out.”
Le Vignoble is the newest addition to Finzels Reach which has seen Left-Handed Giant and Mission Pizza open with great success this summer, joining established independents Spicer+Cole and Café Matariki. Bocabar’s brand new third venue, with a plaza-style outdoor terrace opening onto Hawkins Lane at the heart of Finzels Reach, is also set to open this month.
Created by developer Cubex with funding from Palmer Capital, Finzels Reach will have around 2,500 people living and working there by the end of the year. The new Hawkins Lane walkway that runs through the heart of Finzels Reach, connects Castle Park and the city centre via the striking Castle Bridge and provides an attractive traffic-free new route into the city from Temple Meads.