A Chapel Hill wine shop and tasting room aiming to break some stereotypes of the industry is set to celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday.
Rocks + Acid, which is owned by sommelier and wine educator Paula de Pano, is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on December 7 in Southern Village, with the grand opening happening at 11 a.m. The business at 712 Market Street is in a 1,150-square foot retail space that previously housed Medlin-Davis Cleaners and is sandwiched between Weaver Street Market and Strays Art Gallery & Shipping Center.
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De Pano, who most recently worked as the beverage director for the Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro, says the shop’s name stems from the terrior and acid-focused wines she will feature. The nationally-recognized sommalier plans to have around 350-500 labels offered to patrons and aims to largely include wines made by women winery owners and winemakers. Rocks + Acid will also highlight wines that are “ethically” made or created with environmental sustainability, according to a release from the business.
Photo via Daniel Turbert Photography.
In addition to the variance of product, de Pano has described her vision for Rocks + Acid as a welcoming space for all people — voicing clear support of immigrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ community members. She also says she wants to offer experiences for those just beginning explorations into wine and for those who are well-versed in the world.
Described as a mission-based business, the opening day of Rocks + Acid will go to a cause beyond the shop’s bottom line. De Pano said 10 percent of the opening da proceeds, as well as that portion each first Wednesday of the month, will go to the national BIPOC therapy fund called Inclusive Therapists.
“Just as supporting winemakers and vineyards with healthy practices is at the core of our mission, it is also a goal to support mental health initiatives,” said the sommelier in the press release. “This is a cause that has impacted me personally, and I believe it’s critical to raise awareness and support when possible.”
Rocks + Acid will offer a tasting room experience in addition to its wine shop, with a quarterly wine subscription in the works for customers in 2023. De Pano will also lead a wine education curriculum out of the shop, with classes ranging from novice-level of wine varieties and regions to collector-level discussions of specific producers and approaches. Champagne and caviar classes, as well as guest sommelier classes and events, are also expected to be part of the shop’s offerings as it opens to the broader Chapel Hill community.
The Rocks + Acid wine shop will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Photo via Daniel Turbert Photography.
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