Tenaya Wine was created by Sarah Hatton and Virginia Myers, who have transformed a former charity shop on Crookes High Street into a stylish bottle shop and drinking space. Opened last summer and inspired by the West Coast of America, Tenaya combines a casual and relaxed venue with great, honest service that helps anyone find their perfect bottle of wine.
Virginia explains: “We both love California. We love the vibe and the produce. The people are so relaxed, open and friendly, so we want to bring a bit of that lifestyle over here. Sheffield’s a naturally friendly place, so it’s a good fit!”
Tenaya Wine’s owners Sarah Hatton (left) and Virginia Myers (right)
The name is also a nod to that part of the world and comes from the idyllic Tenaya Canyon, Creek and Lake in Yosemite Valley. As you might expect, the shop offers lots of Californian choices plus wines from around the world, and even a few from the burgeoning English wine scene.
Wines are available to drink in by the glass and there will be a small menu featuring reds, whites, orange, rosé and fizz to choose from. Customers can also buy any bottle from the shop and enjoy it at Tenaya for a small corkage charge, and if that wasn’t tempting enough, the venue is working with Porter Brook Deli to offer accompanying snacks for build-your-own cheese and savoury picnic boards, another nod to Californian wine culture.
Between them, Sarah and Virginia have over 20 years’ experience in the wine industry, having formed a firm friendship while working together at the popular Sheffield wine shop Starmore Boss. Virginia previously managed an independent wine shop and became a winemaker at an independent urban winery in San Francisco. Drawing on all their experience and knowledge, they want Tenaya to be an accessible, inclusive and fun destination. To this end, the vast selection of wines covers all price points and particularly celebrates female-produced wines and sustainable brands.
“We want people to feel welcome and not to feel intimidated,” says Sarah. “You won’t have to know a lot about wine to visit; we can help people to discover something new and find a bottle they absolutely love.” Having experienced some sexism and exclusion themselves in the generally male-dominated industry, the owners of Tenaya Wine are forging a new path towards a modern, relaxed and easy way for everyone to discover and enjoy their next favourite glass.
For more info head over to their socials here.
