House Wine exterior (Photo credit: austingastronomist.com)
If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a glass of well-selected wine and still feel like you’re in Austin, look no further than House Wine. It sits tucked away on Josephine Street, near P. Terry’s on South Lamar, and is perfect for a date or any good company if you’re seeking an intimate, laid back atmosphere.
The house has been around for decades, but has been renovated nicely to resemble a trendy bungalow in the midst of the city atmosphere. The decor is modern and comfortable and screams “relax.” In fact, if half of you wants to go out and half of you wants to stay at home, just go to House Wine. It’s that comfortable.
The comfort of House Wine (Photo credit: House Wine)
The staff is hip, but friendly, and they unpretentiously know their stuff. Their wine list is not long, but boasts a wide range of quality wines from vineyards throughout the world. One that stood out to me was the Super Tuscan, Aia Vecchia Lagone 2007. It featured earthy notes of wood with juicy, bright red fruits on the palate – perfect for those chilly fall and winter nights in Austin. If you’re not a wine lover, don’t stress. House Wine offers a nice selection of local beers and ciders as well.
Seating on the porch (Photo credit: jaihook.com)
They keep their food simple and satisfying, with a good selection of gourmet cheeses, artisanal cheese plates, and Mediterranean fare. Don’t skip dessert when you go. Their Port Brownie Sundae, Beer Float, and campfire S’mores made right at your table are all known to be crowd-pleasers.
One thing I absolutely love about House Wine is their desire to promote local artists and charitable causes. Whether it’s paintings hanging on the wall, music being sung on the porch, or charity events being held in the house, you’ll find pieces of Austin spread throughout the cozy wine bar. I admire how well they use the limited space they have.
You’ll definitely want to stop in on half-price Sundays, when you’re provided with a list of everything that was opened the previous night and you can grab glasses at a bargain until they run out. They also offer wine tasting classes, daily specials, live music, and “happy hour every hour” with solid wines at five dollars a glass and eighteen dollars per bottle, all day, every day.
Live music on the porch (Photo credit: travelsort.com)
I’m more of a hermit, usually preferring to stay in (especially when it’s chilly). But House Wine has offered me the best of both worlds. I can relax and kick back while enjoying the pleasure of being out and socializing with a good glass of wine or two. It’s a win-win.
@MattChampionATX asks:
Have you tried House Wine?
