www.cheersonline.com
18
• September 2016
The winery/restaurant chain has built a passionate following by
providing memorable wine and food experiences
By Kyle Swartz
Founder/CEO Tim McEnery was inspired to start
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants in 2002 after
realizing that no wineries were connected to a full-
service restaurant.
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants has
some of the most loyal fans. In addition to
offering its own wines with its New American
cuisine, the upscale-dining chain also operates
one of the country's largest wine clubs.
Members tend to be highly loyal because they receive more than just
monthly wine deliveries. They can attend exclusive tasting events and
even travel around the world for wine experiences with Cooper's Hawk
staff acting as guides.
How did a chain of 24 locations build such a passionate following in
11 years? Its success stems from the original vision: to provide guests
with a memorable, easy-to-enjoy experience with wine and food.
FOOD MADE FOR WINE
Cooper's Hawk founder/CEO Tim McEnery, who has a background
in restaurant management, recalls his initial inspiration for the business
in 2002. He was at a winery for a tasting one evening with his wife
Dana. "While enjoying a wine tasting, we searched the nearby area
for restaurant reservations and thought, 'Wouldn't it be nice to eat and
continue drinking this wine?'" he remembers.
At the time, "Many wineries had small, limited menus and through
research, I didn't fi nd any connected to a full-service restaurant," he adds.
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PHOTOS
BY:
MICHAEL
EDWARD
SMITH
PHOTOGRAPHY