by Nathan Boddy
Jessi Trauth’s passion for building connections between people and new experiences has taken another step forward. A couple of months ago, she opened a Wine Bar inside her already successful establishment, Jessi’s Wine and Goods, located at 100 Skeels Street in Hamilton. The undertaking means that patrons now have the opportunity to taste and enjoy wines on site from some of the best small producers that Jessi has chosen to showcase in her shop. Along with that opportunity comes a chance to allow Jessi and her team to share insights about everything from proper pairings to the production of the wine itself. That sharing of information is something that she says can be very helpful to expand someone’s horizons when it comes to their palette.
“The mission here is to expose people to new exciting things they may not be able to find elsewhere,” she says.
Trauth says that she hopes her establishment becomes a place where, “people can continue to explore and expand their palette, while engaging with some of the greatest wines of the world from small artisan producers.” She explains that the licensure which allows her to operate the Wine Bar creates a greater connectivity between retail and enjoyment of the product. Although any of the wines she sells can be enjoyed on-site with a corkage fee, there is also a rotating selection of wines by-the-glass available.
“There’s always something new,” she says, adding that the Wine Bar also offers local and international beers on tap, as well as a simple menu of charcuterie, cheeses, and fresh breads to balance the experience.
Trauth opened the shop in 2020 with plans to focus on small production wines that are culturally rooted and crafted with great care. Equally important in her selection of products is a proven track record of environmental stewardship and ethical principles. She mentions the importance of working with those wineries which pay attention to soil health, water consumption, thoughtful application of fertilizers and even healthy land management. Trauth says that she finds it liberating to be able to choose her own suppliers and build relationships with them.
“This is an agricultural product,” she says, adding that the wine produced can become an artistic expression of its place of origin. “It lends to a much more dynamic and interesting product, but also something that feels a lot better to drink.”
“There is a level of artistry and craftsmanship in these wines that you just don’t see everywhere,” she says. “There’s magic in these bottles.”
The successful acquisition of a city ‘On Premise Beer and Wine’ license may have legally allowed her to open the Wine Bar, but it has been her efforts to create the environment that will lead the establishment to success.
“It’s essentially a whole different business,” says Trauth, pointing to the physical changes within the building as well as the outdoor seating (which expands in the warmer months), live music, tasting events and upcoming wine classes. Ultimately, however, the goal continues to be connecting people to a product that they’ll love and facilitating meaningful experiences.
Trauth says that, “A lot of people are confused about wine. It can be thought of as something just for the elite.” This is a notion that she aims to dispel, saying, “Wine is for the people. It is to be drank and shared with people that you love, to build community and to build connections. It should be made approachable for everyone.”
For that reason, she tries to make sure that she has something for every budget and taste available.
She also offers a wine club, the Jessi’s Wine Explorer’s Club, a monthly membership which offers members a chance to explore wines from around the world with detailed information about each selection.
You can learn more about Jessi’s Wine and Goods by visiting, https://www.jessiswineandgoods.com, or for an even closer look, stop by this Thursday, February 16th between 5:30 and 7 to enjoy live jazz played by Jessi’s band, Cork & Spark, as they return to the stage after a 2 1/2 year hiatus.