Here’s Jason Cooper’s vision of a wine bar:
Start with 400 wines from around the globe (about 5,000 bottles’ worth) and a 17-foot-tall tower devoted to 50 Champagnes and sparkling wines. Offer 50 wines by the glass, including some stellar selections that others sell only by the bottle. Add charcuterie, cheese and warm bread, plus macarons and chocolate to pair with dessert wines.
The industry veteran has now turned those ideas into reality. His venture is called Velvet 48, and it’s slated to open Friday, May 3, in downtown Burlingame.
“After a 20-year career in the wine industry, I’m creating the place I’ve always wanted to go and enjoy wine with friends,” he said in statement.
Velvet refers to the style of velvety, supple wines he plans to stock, and the 48 is a tribute to his late mother, who was born in 1948.
A New Hampshire native, Cooper developed his expertise on the East Coast as a sommelier, wine buyer and wine sales manager, then came in 2007 to the Bay Area, where he has worked with the Napa Valley’s Cain Vineyard & Winery and the Somerston Wine Co.
At Velvet 48, he’s put together a team that includes GM Corey Reis (The Table in San Jose) and events manager Drea Dedona (Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant in San Francisco).
Together, they’ve curated the bottles that will line the walls — and stock the wine carts available for customer perusal. ““I want guests to interact with the wine more than just reading a list. Here, they can see the labels, read the descriptions and then sit down to enjoy it,” he said.
Cooper also worked with with Sonoma’s Rack & Riddle to create a Velvet 48 private label sparkling wine, which will be served to customers as a complimentary welcoming glass.
Details: Velvet 48 will be open from 3 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday at 310 Lorton Ave., Burlingame. Facebook.com/velvet48 and www.velvet48.com.
