The new kid on the wine block is Block7WineCompany, but with all it has to offer I am confident Block7 will
be the Big Kid on the block in very short order.
"When it comes to wine, I tell people to throw away the vintage charts and invest in a corkscrew. The best way to learn about wine is the drinking."
This Alexis Lichine quote featured on the Block7 website is perhaps the best summary of what's happening inside the building at 720 Shepherd.
Recently, I was lucky enough to be given a sneak preview of the facility by Amber Roussel, Director of Marketing And Events. Believe me when I tell you it is an impressive venture of quality and artistic style.
Located just south of Washington Avenue, Block7 has converted the old Western Appliance building into a true wine lover's mecca. With 8,000 square feet of space, Block7 will offer Houstonians a place to buy, learn and enjoy.
Nearly 3,000 feet of space are devoted to a climate-controlled walk-in wine warehouse featuring 500 hand-selected wines from around the globe. The wines, Amber boasts, will be retail priced as competitively as anywhere in the city, "even Spec's." The bottle price is the same whether you enjoy it on premise or take it home. And never a corking fee!
Additionally, Block7 offers a place to learn and taste. Adjacent to the warehouse is a 35-foot stainless steel bar and tasting area for people to gather and sip on featured wines and enjoy complimentary aperitivo snacks. Plus, look forward to free tastings on Saturdays, as well as educational classes scheduled regularly to help bridge the gap between what we know and what we taste.
Beyond the casual space are tables for full-service dining surrounded by the modern stylings of some of Houston's best artists found through a collaboration with the non-profit spacetaker.org. The first artist featured is Matt Messenger whose collection will run through August. Live music featuring homegrown musicians like Peekaboo Theory and Come See My Dead Person add to the eclectic feel.
Further still, there is a very large private event space nestled behind the kitchen that boasts availability for upwards of 150 guests. Reservations for fall and winter events are available now.
Wow!
In converting the space, the crew at Block7 focused on maintaining the historical integrity and warehouse feel of the building by utilizing nearly everything that was left behind. Old file cabinets are used as checkout stands in the retail space. The team uncovered some wonderful photos of Old Houston that they have had restored and will feature throughout the space along with pieces of modern sculpture from Houston area artists that enhance the industrial mood. The stainless steel wine racks were custom designed by Alberto Bonomi, who is also responsible for the design of the impressive tasting bar.
Sommelier, Eric Hastings, most recently from Denver has come aboard and along with Loren Root will lead the highly trained wine service team. The focus is on knowing the wines on hand. "Each and every wine has a story," as Amber states, "and the team will know them." That is why they will have 500 wines as opposed to 2,000. But, rest assured, if you want something specific, Block7 will be able to find it for you.
Wine tours and travel are also a big part of the picture at Block7 with Michael Housewright leading the way. In fact, Block7 is Texas' first and only full-service wine tour operator. The first trip is scheduled to launch this fall with an expertly guided six-day trip through the Wine Country of Italy.
At the helm in the kitchen is Miguel Hernandez, formerly of Rainbow Lodge. The emphasis here is on the "slow" food philosophy and regional fare from the Texas Gulf Coast and Texas' own farms. Fresh seafood and local ingredients will highlight, but the All-Star of the menu promises to be the Block7 Burger made from 21-day dry-aged beef. The best in town, I am told, but priced like a burger, not a T-bone steak!
The vision is grand at Block7. The philosophy is sound and the investment in quality and education are obvious from the moment you speak to the people inside.
A soft opening is planned and people have already begun wandering in to take a peek. If you are passing by, stop in and see for yourself what is new on the Block.
