Eric and Sheryl Medeiros, retired lawyers, spent much of their working careers in California and Washington. Their proximity to wine country fueled their desire to learn more about and to immerse themselves in wine culture.
“We lived in Woodinville, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, where there are over 100 wineries and tasting rooms,” Sheryl says. “We had many friends in the wine industry that we hung out with, and we picked up a lot of knowledge about wine, wine regions, varietals and tasting.”
Retirement Goals
When they decided to retire in Colorado Springs, the Medeiroses had a plan to design and open a wine bar that they would want to go to. They spent several months looking for a second-generation building to realize their vision and were continuously outbid by investors. Then they came across a potential opportunity with an incredible view in a fast-growing area of Briargate. There was just one problem: It was a dirt slab.
Designing the Dream
While the Medeiroses weren’t originally planning to build, they were excited about the opportunity to plan their perfect space. Sheryl and Eric, along with Sheryl’s brother, an architect, designed the entire structure, inside and out. The bar is the centerpiece of the space and also a work of art that came from Sheryl’s imagination.
“We intentionally picked out soft, comfortable seating that would encourage people to come and relax with a glass of wine, soak up the views, and stay awhile,” Sheryl says. “We added large glass garage doors to create an indoor-outdoor experience for our guests and to take full advantage of our mountain vista.”
Original artwork from local artists decorates the space.
“We want to bring some of the vibrant downtown art scene to the Briargate area,” Sheryl says. “We have some talented artists in our community that we enjoy highlighting here. In fact, we began hosting our own First Friday event where we invite the public to come and listen to live music, view art from local artists, and potentially purchase a work of art.”
The space also includes a retail space where guests can buy wine accessories, decor, charcuterie boards and gifts.
The Wine
When it comes to the wine, the Medeiroses stand behind everything they serve. They have personally tasted every wine in their carefully curated collection. They also made sure to include bottles at every price point so that wine can be accessible for everyone.
“We don’t pour anything that you can get at a grocery store, big box store or local bottle shops,” Sheryl says. “We want to offer wine that you can only find here. We want our guests to find their favorite wines and then return for another taste.”
If wine isn’t your thing, My Cellar Wine Bar also offers beer on tap, as well as spirits, cocktails, and mocktails.
The Food
The menu is designed around foods that pair well with wine and that are easy to share and graze on while you sip. Items such as warm baguettes with dipping oil, charcuterie spreads, paninis and flatbread pizza are just some of the delicious bites you can enjoy during your visit.
Community
“We want people to mingle at our wine bar,” Sheryl says. “We decided to host events that bring people together and create opportunities to connect with other people.”
Making connections with their local community has been a priority for the Medeiroses. They do this through creating events with local businesses, hosting live music and art events, providing wine tasting and education experiences, craft nights, and holding various holiday and pop-up events.
Website: https://www.mycellarwinebar.com/
Instagram + Facebook: @MyCellarWineBar