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• Wines at the Pines opens to share passion of both wine and coffee

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A new wine and coffee bar in Urbana, Wine at the Pines. Photo by James Kyung

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Wines at the Pines »
Address: 286 S. Philo Rd., Suite L Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: (217) 607-0048
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A good wine is hard to find, especially on a college student’s budget. Fortunately, the brand new Wines at the Pines is dedicated to sharing not only quality wine and coffee at bargain prices, but also a passion for wine education. “Wine is intimidating, so we provide a great resource for people looking to find out more,” said co-owner Jessica Stanis.

The idea for the store started two years ago when she and her husband visited California wine country and fell in love, as she said, with the drink. They decided to open up the store with the owner of Milo’s Restaurant, but they added coffee to the menu. “The landlord said the two most requested things in the area were wine and coffee. We respect both of them,” Stanis said.

According to Stanis, Wines is the only shop in the area, since the late Bar Guiliani, to brew Metropolis coffee, which is a small artisan coffee from Chicago. It makes classic coffee drinks, as well as some seasonal specials like the chai latte and peppermint mocha. Wines also has a selection of about a dozen higher-end beers, an assortment of baked goods from Milo’s, and a stocked deli case of cheeses, sandwiches and salads.

But its biggest pride is, of course, the wine, and they want everyone to enjoy it regardless of the economy. “We have to shift the way we look at wines. There are great wines at low prices,” she said. “The task for us is to look for those.” The store carries about 75 labels of wine by the bottle, and a large number of those are $10 to $15. Customers might come to take a bottle home for dinner or just pop it open with friends right in the store. They also have wines available by the glass.

Stanis and her husband have picked out bottles that cover a large variety of wine regions at all

different price points, from the $9.99 wine from Chile to a $400 bottle they keep in a temperature controlled room “for connoisseurs.” They also stock many varieties (like cabernets, sauvignons, chardonnays, and even some more unique varietals like the Argentinian torrontes, a perfumy, floral wine that runs from $12.49, colors (like whites and reds) and tastes (sweet, dry). Each wine has unique aromas that a drinker discovers after savoring the wine.

Stanis said a personal favorite is the 2006

Terrezas Rsv ($18.49), a malbec with “cherry notes,” licorice spice and toasted vanilla from the oak.

If these labels mean absolutely nothing to you, you would be going to the right place to find out more. Stanis gladly shares her knowledge with

customers. In fact, she is currently studying with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, a school for wine professionals and enthusiasts, and plans to become a Master of Wine. “Wine is intimidating, so if they’re looking for help we provide a great resource for people looking to find out more,” she said.

On opening night, for example, new customers packed the store for a free wine tasting of value whites and reds — $15 and under — from Argentina

and California. Tasters thought they could have been twice as expensive, Stanis said.

If you missed the event, you are not out of

luck — the store has a tasting every Friday night. This way, Stanis can assess the marketability of different kinds from people’s reactions, in addition to attracting customers with free wine and allowing them to discover the drink as well. “I hope I can make them passionate about it as well,” she said.

Although the store is off-campus in Urbana, students are always welcome, even to just study or read. The store is open and bright, with sleek wood furniture and leather couches. The owners wanted to create a casual and friendly environment in “a more upscale and peaceful area,” where anyone can come in to relax and enjoy a drink. “Every day I walk in, I feel like it’s home,” Stanis said.