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By Christine
Imbs
For many St. Louisans, a trip to Missouri’s wine country is
the perfect weekend getaway. But if gas prices are putting a crimp
in your plans, or you crave that winery experience during the week,
then Copia Urban Winery may be just the ticket.
Located in the downtown Loft District, Copia is indeed a wine lover’s
dream. Not only does it offer a good selection of the grape, but
an atmosphere well suited to its enjoyment. The main dining area
and bar is spacious, and done in rich woods and reds. There’s
also a unique outdoor patio that seats about 250—complete with
fireplace and two large projection TVs.
But it’s the wine that takes center stage at Copia. Set in
the middle of the room is a huge glass and silver wine cellar, well
stocked with an amazing variety of vino, including Copia’s
own house wines aged on-site in stainless steel vats.
“We get our grape juice from partnering winery Les Bourgeois,”
says Jenni Surtin, Copia’s marketing director. “We deal
with the tail-end of the fermenting process in that we pour the
grape juice into one of our four neutral stainless steel vessels,
and finish the fermenting process here. Right now, we make two white
wines, one dry and one semi-dry, and one red.”
Along with its house wines, Copia offers a large selection of international
and domestic wines, including some Missouri favorites. All total,
they have more than 300 offerings with plans to expand to 1,000.
But if you’re not a wine connoisseur, Surtin says, don’t
let the
volume intimidate you.
“Even though we are a winery, we don’t just cater to those
who have extensive wine knowledge,” she says. “We have
a full-time sommelier, who is always more than delighted to answer
any questions.”
Wine prices per bottle vary; however, there are a number available
in the $25 to $40 price range. All are sold at retail wine store
prices, but it should be noted that there is an $8 corking fee.
You can also purchase bottles of your favorite selection to take
home at Copia’s retail shop located on site, where gourmet
foods, wine accessories and other beverage accompaniments are also
available for sale.
Although the wine will ultimately determine its success, Copia is
taking the saying, “Eat, drink, and be merry,” very seriously.
They’ve hired former, long-time Aqua Vin chef, Dave Rook, to
oversee the kitchen. And what he’s created is a distinctly
American-continental cuisine, offering classics like surf and turf
with a twist. Think Alaskan King Crab over medallions of beef tenderloin
for $31.95.
 Angie Bustos,
General Manager, Copia Urban Winery |
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Copia is open for both lunch and dinner. The lunch menu offers a
variety of salads, pizza and sandwiches, with prices ranging from
$6 to $10. Dinner can be a bit more expensive ranging in price from
$10 to $32.
Suggested lunch items include the Prime-Rib Dip sandwich for $8.95
and the Pulled Pork sandwich for $7.95. And for salad lovers tired
of the same old fare, there’s the Calamari Salad. It’s
a combination of mixed greens, flash-fried calamari, chopped egg,
bacon, tomato and sweet corn drizzled with lemon dressing for $9.95.
Dinner favorites at Copia include Pan Roasted Sea Scallops for $19.95,
Maple-Leaf Farm Duck Breast for $24.95, and Lobster and Shrimp Papperdelle
for $18.95. And if you like a little something to start out your
meal, there’s a good selection of appetizers starting at $7.95.
The Smoked Spare Ribs and House Smoked Jumbo Shrimp wrapped in bacon
are two of Copia’s specialties, as well as a big hit with customers.
House-made desserts are also available and change seasonally.
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TalkingPOINTS
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Copia Urban
Winery
1122
Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63101
Phone: (314) 621-7275
Hours:
Copia is open Monday - Saturday
Lunch: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Bar: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Retail Shop: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
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