Fruit Wine Co. Opens in Bellevue as Region's First Wine Retail Hospitality Experience
Coming September 30, Fruit Wine Co. will open in Bellevue as the region’s first interactive retail, wine club and tasting space. Crunchy Red Fruit, a wine club and digital retailer founded and curated by Master Sommelier and Canlis alum Jackson Rohrbaugh, and Seattle Wine Co., a longstanding locally loved brick-and-mortar wine shop that has been a beacon of hospitality and excellent wine in Bellevue for 20 years, are merging to create Fruit Wine Co. This thoughtfully developed, experiential wine company will offer shopping, tasting experiences and special events at the former location of Seattle Wine Co. in Bellevue’s Spring District, while furthering operations of the successful wine club, which will remain named Crunchy Red Fruit.
Aligning with the format wine club members have loved, the retail shop will have an emphasis on less mass market bottles, with a selection of epic, collectable wines like Quintarelli and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti; fun low-intervention and natural wines; and myriad bottles that reflect their soil of origin. There will also be chocolate, handmade gifts from local producers and cookbooks available for purchase. The core values of Fruit Wine Co. are hospitality, generosity, and intentionality. “More than anything, we want people to feel comfortable – the vibe is welcoming, inviting, experiential and hospitable,” notes Rohrbaugh. A small selection of non-alcoholic wines and amaro and bitters will be available as well as craft beer growler fills and kombucha on tap.
The public is invited to a grand opening celebration with tastings and bites in the refreshed space on September 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Known for its delicious, interactive, and chef-driven pickup parties, Crunchy Red Fruit members will be invited to the space regularly for food, fun and merriment. The team at Fruit Wine Co. believes that wine brings people together. Shopping for wine at traditional retail stores can often feel impersonal, and Fruit Wine Co. will put the guest first, offering guidance. “The reason for our continued success isn’t magic or some secret recipe,” noted Fruit Wine Co. Buyer and Manager Mark Lowry. “It’s the simple fact that we truly and deeply believe in the idea of hospitality. We believe that when you walk in the door, we should do everything in our power to give you the best experience we can possibly deliver. That we should treat you as a part of the family whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong customer. Our goal is for you to want to come back not because it is convenient, but because you enjoy it.”
Inspired originally by time spent in Perugia and throughout Italy, Rohrbaugh entered the industry drawn by the generosity and community it creates. He later went on to work at Canlis, helping to run their wine program. Canlis earned their first James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Program in 2016. Jackson earned his Master Sommelier diploma in 2017. Rohrbaugh is one of five Master Sommeliers in Seattle. In January 2020, he launched Crunchy Red Fruit, a successful wine club that not only shares personally selected and vetted wine allocations with its members, but includes unexpected extras like music, recipe pairings and branded swag. “My superpower is talking about wine,” says Rohrbaugh “So, after running a predominantly online service for three years, to be able expand and do what I love in person is really exciting to me.”
Fruit Wine Co. is now open at 1950 130th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005. Crunchy Red Fruit offers two membership levels, with three or six bottle options. Each shipment comes with chef-driven food pairings, recipes as well as music pairings selected for each bottle. Coming up on September 23, there will be a wine club pick up party for Crunchy Red Fruit club members.
About Fruit Wine Co.
Fruit Wine Co. is an interactive retail, wine club, and tasting space in Bellevue. Fruit Wine Co. is the result of a merger between Crunchy Red Fruit, a wine club and digital retailer founded by Master Sommelier Jackson Rohrbaugh, and Seattle Wine Co., a beloved local wine shop. Now united as Fruit Wine Co., the company offers unique shopping, tasting experiences, and special events at the Fruit Wine Co. location in Bellevue’s Spring District. The company will continue to provide curated Wine Club selections and engaging experiences. The retail shop will focus on distinctive, curated wines, including legendary options like Quintarelli and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, as well as a myriad of low-intervention wines that truly reflect their origins. The inviting and hospitable atmosphere aims to ensure everyone feels welcome while exploring these exceptional offerings. Visit Fruit Wine Co. at 1950 130th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005, and explore their club membership options, offering three or six bottle choices with chef-driven food pairings, recipes, and music selections tailored to each bottle. Learn more at www.fruitwineco.com and @Fruit.Wine.Co. on Instagram.