The Violet Crown started serving up natural wines and quality coffee last year. We had a chat with them to learn more about the people behind the place.
What’s the origin of the name Violet Crown?
Grant: It’s a reference to the original name of the Crestview/Brentwood neighborhood: Violet Crown Heights. It’s also an homage to the business that operated this space before us, The Violet Crown Clubhouse. They did a great job establishing this space as a community hub, and that’s something we’re passionate about continuing. I believe the original reference is to an Austin poet from the 1890s who wrote under the pen name O'Henry and described the Austin sunsets as "a violet crown" over the city.
Is one of you more of a coffee drinker and the other a wine drinker?
Grant: While we both enjoy coffee and wine, I’m more the wine guy and Chris the coffee guy. As a wine professional, I’m always excited to explore new wines, really understand each bottle and why certain production methods, vintages, and farming decisions might influence how the wine shows up. While Chris has a great palate, he typically just wants something delicious. The tables turn a bit for coffee: for me, coffee is a ritual about getting the day started while getting our daughter Lillie ready for school. Chris is the one who can crank out top-notch espresso drinks and understands the science of great coffee.
Which did you decide you wanted first, a coffee bar or a wine bar?
Grant: The wine bar came first. We have always been attracted to the French "cave à manger" model that is a hybrid of bottle shop and wine bar and knew we wanted both components to be a part of The Violet Crown. We also knew we wanted to be open during the day and offering coffee service was the perfect way to bring folks into the space earlier in the day.
How do you choose the wines you carry?
Grant: Clean farming practices and low-intervention winemaking are a must. Beyond that, we really like to advocate for inclusivity in the wine industry by highlighting winemakers from marginalized communities. We also want to support small-scale winemakers. You can get a really intriguing bottle of wine for $25 with a great story and people doing good things for the planet and their community. We feel it’s our job to seek these out and share them with our guests.
Chris: We don't sell anything in the shop that we wouldn't like ourselves.
Most challenging part about working with your significant other?
Grant: It's hard to complain about your colleague to your spouse when that colleague is your spouse.
Best part about working with your significant other?
Grant: There’s something really satisfying about getting to see your partner ‘in the zone.’ Not many people have an understanding of what their partner's work life is like, so getting to understand intimately what your partner does for work and seeing them succeed in it is a special part of our relationship that I don't think many people get to experience.
Chris: It's such a wonderful feeling looking around, seeing folks enjoying the space. Grant and I will tell each other, ‘You know, we made this. We really created something special.’ I wouldn't trade those moments for the world.
"You can get a really intriguing bottle of wine for $25 with a great story and people doing good things for the planet and their community."