DELAWARE — Downtown Delaware’s newest spot for late-night sips promises grape expectations for its wine selection, art-deco atmosphere and one-of-a-kind rooftop patio.
Open Btl has taken over the former site of J. Gumbos restaurant at 39 E. Williams St. and will host its grand opening on Friday with a 5:30 p.m. ribbon cutting.
“We wanted to make it a fun space for people who are just getting into wine, and it’s just nice enough for someone who’s on the opposite end of the spectrum who would feel comfortable coming in and drinking a $200 bottle of wine,” Open Btl owner John Cordas said.
The interior immediately greets guests with high walls full of whites, reds and pinks, all of which are for sale, before stepping into an elegant bar area adorned with dark wooden seating, low lights and copper accents.
But even in the high-class atmosphere, wine haters and folks who only drink cheap, fruity wines will all be served with a smile, no snobbery.
Enjoy wine at your own pace
“With wine clubs, you’re either red, white, mixed or a premium; 
no one ever has a sweet club because it excludes that whole group, but we’re not like that. If you want to come in and drink a sweet Ohio blueberry-grigio, come on in,” Cordas said.
Becoming a wine club member is just one to enjoy Open Btl’s collection of 184 wines, which will continue to grow to over 300 labels.
“We have some open shelves right now, and the reason why is because we’re going to have a suggestion page out for all of our wine club members because we want to build our inventory based on what they like too,” Cordas said.
Wine club members pay a monthly fee for a group of their choosing— broken down by red, white, mixed and sweet at $49 and premium at $59— and receive two bottles of wine and two tastings each month.
One of those tasting includes a private tasting on the third Wednesday of each month where a winemaker comes in with exclusive wine selections.
The kickoff maker for the March tasting flew in from Italy to debut his wines at three Ohio locations, including Open Btl on Wednesday.
“He has a premium wine where there’s only 2,000 bottles made, period. And we’ve got 120 of them,” Co-owner Amy Adams said.
But until April 6, Open Btl is offering a founder’s club price of $39. “You’re locked in at $39 forever,” Cordas said.
Visitors can also walk in, or schedule online, a $30 wine tasting of all reds, all whites, a mix of both or the traveler’s selection of Italian and French wines. Or for more experienced wine drinkers, there is also a $50 premium tasting.
And the bar is always open to anyone who just wants to sip on a glass or two, or enjoy a beer or cocktail any day of the week.
Cordas recommends the “Fresh” espresso martini, which uses an espresso, cold brew mix curated by Fresh Start.
The menu will also feature Greater Gouda-curated charcuterie boards and other small bites.
A new business venture
Photos of the private wine tasting on Wednesday evening by Taylor Henninger.
Cordas and his business partners Amy and Jason Adams decided to open a wine bar in Delaware because “we thought there was a need.”
The trio also own Sand Bar Station and are working on another concept in Delaware, which they will reveal once Open Btl has had its time in the spotlight.
Cordas said the Delaware location was the result of right place, right time, but opening a wine bar has been a goal after nearly opening one in Sunbury eight years ago.
“I always tell people I got really lucky with the family I married into because all they want to do is travel the world and drink wine,” he said.
Cordas’s love for wine arose 13 years ago while in the first week of dating his future wife. He unexpectedly met her parents, who made him trade in his typical beer order for wine.
They plan to continue offering unique events at the wine bar, including eclectic live entertainers with an electric harp player already on the books.
Delaware’s only rooftop patio
The building’s flat roof immediately caught the trio’s eyes.
“One of the contingencies for us buying this building, actually was approval from the building department that they would approve a rooftop patio,” Cordas said.
Because the building is in the historical district, the Delaware County Historical Society assisted in the approval process, ensuring renovations still preserve historical elements.
It was the first time the society approved a rooftop patio, and the process paved the way for establishing rules and regulations for any similar future developments.
The patio sits empty now, but Cordas plans to add seating options closer to when it opens, which won’t be for at least another three weeks due to some last-minute adjustments.
