If you’re seeking a hard-to-find wine, a nice party wine, something special for an anniversary, birthday, holiday or business event, look no further than Southlake’s premiere wine shop, Roots and Water.
Partners Mark Plamondon, Charlie Stewart, John Miller, Jimmy Shoppa, AJ McClellan and Rick Helmig opened Roots and Water over a year ago with Blake Maso to provide the local community with wines and tastings not found in Southlake, Westlake or surrounding areas. A wine lover himself, Mark had been driving to Dallas to find good wines and eventually decided it would be a fun venture to build his own store closer to home.
Wine is their hobby and passion.
“It was a personal venture to establish Roots and Water in Southlake,” Mark says. “I love wine and the people involved in wine.”
AJ McClellan, Certified Sommelier at the Dallas Roots and Water, has helped the partners find some of his most favorite wines, leading to establishment of the Southlake location.
Finding unique, interesting wines can be difficult. Before Southlake’s location opened, the best option was grocery stores, although selections were limited and missed the special, boutique, hard-to-find wines and vintages that aficionados seek. So General Manager Blake Maso went on a mission to fill the store with the best of the best at each price point and wine region.
“There are great wine stores in Dallas, but nothing close to Southlake like Roots and Water,” notes Blake.
Blake has worked in the wine industry for 10 years, with a heavy emphasis on importing and distributing the best vintages from Europe, including Bordeaux, Tuscany and Burgundy. Throughout his travels and tastings, he’s gained a wealth of knowledge about winemaking, viticulture, the history and diversity of different wine regions.
Prices at Southlake’s store range from quite affordable to exclusive. There is truly something for everyone.
“Depending on your needs, we can connect you with a delicious $20-$30 bottle or help find distinctive specialties,” Mark says.
Roots and Water can find a vintage from the year someone special was born, or perhaps a wedding year. There are memorable wines for client gifts, and the store can recommend ideas for holidays, special dinners and occasions, with exclusive bottle engravings.
Experts are on hand from noon-7 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays to share their knowledge and experience. Many of Roots and Water’s offerings are “best in class.”
There’s no membership required to shop the retail store – it’s open to everyone.
Club memberships
Roots and Water also offers a private club where members can meet winemakers, attend tastings, sample curated and exclusive wines, meet new friends and strike up a sense of community. Members can host events and establish their own wine lockers.
There are member discounts, access to wines not found anywhere else and the experience of learning the finer points of wines.
“We’ve seen many people join the club not really knowing other members, and a few weeks later gaining great new friends and enriching their circle of community,” Mark says.
While business networking does take place, it’s really more of a social club, Mark and Blake explain.
“You don’t have to know a lot about wine, you just need to be a wine lover to come and enjoy,” Blake says.
Blake also offers personal phone access at any time for members who are out somewhere and need advice on selecting a wine.
The club features live music nights, New Year’s Eve parties and other events. Private tasting rooms are available for board meetings, presentations and the like.
While the club offers light bites, members can bring in their own catering for dinners with friends.
“We want members to feel like this is an extension of their own living room, with their personal sommelier,” Blake says.
The club is currently designing an enclosed 2,200-square-foot patio, opening in 2024.
