It’s a new concept in the restaurant wine experience: another hi-tech way where patrons have the power to choose their own wines. In the quaint lakeshore suburb of Winnetka, Illinois, the Trifecta Grill has become a pioneer in the Chicago wine world as the first restaurant in the area to offer a self-serving wine dispenser. This futuristic machine, manufactured by Napa Technology, holds 28 bottles of wine at a time, and keeps each one fresh for up to 60 days.
This innovative way in choosing wine not only gives wine drinkers a hand-on experience, but also allows them to discover new wines they normally wouldn’t be able to try by the glass, since 95% of the wines found at Trifecta are only available at most restaurants by the bottle.
At this self-serving wine bar, each bottle of wine is available by the half glass and also by the 1-ounce taste. Being able to sample these wines in small quantity really makes it ideal for those who are new to the wine game to try different wines. And at the same time, it attracts wine aficionados who can taste more expensive wines that might be out of their price range by the bottle.
So how does it work? The customers put money on a pre-paid card, provided by the restaurant, which has a computer chip intact that keeps track of how much credit is on the card. Then just simply grab a glass, choose the wine, insert the card into the machine, and get to drinking!
Each wine ranges in price, and the wine selections rotate over time, featuring an array of wines from around the world. One of the more expensive (and popular) wines available is the Pio Cesare Barolo 2007, from Piedmont, Italy, costing patrons US$29 for the full glass.
There are descriptions of each wine which help drinkers make their wine decisions easier. One familiar wine that stood out, the Viña Cobos Felino Malbec 2010 from Paul Hobbs Winery in Mendoza, Argentina, gives the detailed notes on the wine, including the Wine Advocate rating.
A unique way to taste wines, create your own personalized tasting itinerary with Trifecta’s cool wine dispenser.
Trifecta Grill
Tel: 847.441.1700
501 Chestnut St, Winnetka, IL
Facebook: Facebook.com/TrifectaGrillWinnetka
Twitter: @trifectagrill