Great business ideas abound, but for a variety of reasons, few are able to get off the ground (or stay off the ground). Then sometimes everything comes together. You say to yourself “why not?” and take the leap.
Or, if you’re Mark Wimmers, you say “wine not?” and open a community-focused wine bar of the same name.
The Grape Idea
“WineNot Wine Bar began as a passion project—a challenge to see if my family and I could successfully run our own business,” Mark explains. “After working in a hospital for 15+ years, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and create a welcoming, comfortable space for everyone to enjoy.”
At first, Mark and his family had trouble landing a location. Then, a serendipitous breakfast trip to Skip’s Bagels revealed the perfect locale in the form of a vacancy right next-door. They took the leap—WineNot opened in May, serving up great wine and good vibes in a home-away-from home, cozy-but-chic atmosphere.
“We take pride in introducing great new wines that can’t be found in the surrounding areas,” Mark says. “But you don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to come enjoy our space—we cater to everyone.”
A Passion for Community
WineNot not only offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere for enjoying wine, but also serves as a place for community gatherings, events and entertainment—with space to host a party or small get-togethers—perfect for anyone looking for something casual to do on a weekday or weekend out.
Events include specialty wine tastings on Wednesdays with chef-curated food pairings, trivia on Thursdays, and small bands or local DJs on Fridays. Mark says they hope to start a monthly wine club soon. Because, wine not?
WineNotWineBar.com | 12090 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati | 513.582.8687
Nosh, Nibble & Taste
If you’re looking for a house favorite to pair with WineNot’s shareable flatbread pizzas or hand-crafted charcuterie boards, consider:
- Vintage Cowboy Red Blend—Opulent flavors and exotic spice notes round out this popular pick.
- New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc—New Zealand’s small amounts of rain and large amounts of sun make it the perfect location for this variety.
- Orange Rosé—A unique blend made with white grapes that have come into longer contact with the skin during fermenting.
- Moscato d’Asti—Sweet and dry, this variety is highly drinkable, light and slightly fizzy.
- Paper Street Zinfandel—A favorite choice for a special occasion with a bold flavor-bomb of an experience.
In addition to their amazing wine selection, the shop also carries a variety of liquor, canned drinks, and specialty cocktails and mocktails.