If any restaurateur’s been thinking out of the box during Covid-19 it’s Matt Manning. Chef extraordinaire, and owner of the esteemed CBD establishments Grub & Vine and Culture Wine Bar, Manning has now set up a private wine library members’ club and co-working space. Here’s how it works.
The exciting offering caters for those in the wine industry, including winemakers, who need an inner-city base to do tastings and a suitable hub to work from. Located on the top floor of the historic Bree Street building that houses Culture Wine Bar – which he launched in October 2020 along with the club – it is already gaining traction with 20 people signed up.
“We had this blank canvas above the bar that we wanted to utilise. Covid-19 has prompted people to make their assets sweat hard for them and double-up on their uses. We felt that by turning the space into a members’ club, we would fulfill our clientele’s needs while making optimal use of the space,” Manning explains.
With this idea, Manning is embracing some elements of the “third space” concept coined by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg who said these are locations people visit between home (their “first” space) and work (their “second” space). Third spaces are inviting and allow people to interact with their surroundings and form new relationships with like-minded people.
In the words of psychologist Christopher Peterson: “Third spaces contribute to the life worth living. They root us; they give us an identity; they restore us; they support us. Bottom line: They allow us to be us. And everyone knows our name.”
MEMBERS' BENEFITS
Award-winning chef Manning not only capitalises on Culture Wine Bar but his Grub & Vine eatery next door. There are three membership tiers, costing R700, R1 390 and R1 695 per month respectively:
- The Novel membership comprises all-day access to a fully serviced workspace during the day and Culture Wine Bar, a range of refreshments, and complementary uncapped fast fibre. It also includes a monthly curated case of wine by Culture Wine Bar and a membership card which gives members a 10 % discount at both Culture Wine Bar and Grub & Vine with each swipe.
- The Trade Edition is for those who work in the wine industry. “These members can conduct events and tastings with key stakeholders, store up to 30 bottles of wine in a temperature-controlled and safe facility for their events, and showcase shelf stock on our Wine Library List, which is available to guests in the bar to purchase for on- and/or off-site consumption,” says Manning. Other perks are access to the space for meetings, a 10 % discount membership card, access for up to three guests between 10h00 and 22h00, and permission to organise ticketed events through the Culture Wine Bar Dineplan booking platform.
- The Tome membership is for the wine connoisseur who wants to enjoy wine among like-minded people. “This tier enables members to store up to 30 bottles on-site, which they can enjoy among friends, gain exclusive access to our members’ lounge, and get special VIP invites to events such as our quarterly members’ dinner – a by-invitation-only affair,” says Manning. All-day access to the space and amenities applies as well as the 10 % discount at both Culture Wine Bar and Grub & Vine and a complimentary cup of coffee.
ENHANCING THE CBD’S WINE CULTURE
With Manning’s newest venture and his wine bar, the Cape Town CBD’s wine culture is gaining ground, complementing other interesting Central City offerings by wine venues such as Dorrance Winery and Penny Noire on Heritage Square, Openwine, Leo’s Wine Bar, and Divine Wine Boutique.
“It’s an exciting time to be a wine lover,” says Manning. “Being a wine country with the Winelands on our doorstep, Cape Town has always had a fantastic wine culture and now we are starting to see the emergence of exciting new regions and independent winemakers which is adding to its richness and diversity. I believe Culture is definitely part of this movement and adds to it. We have a fantastic offering, are inclusive to everyone who loves wine, and offer unique events and experiences.” Strict Covid-19 protocols are in place with Manning saying they are “aware of the onus on us to behave responsibly, specifically as a hospitality business”.
With the Wine Library Members Club and Culture Wine Bar being a part of the holistic offering that includes Grub & Vine, The Green Room (its private dining room) and The Chef's Studio (an interactive cooking space), there is a lot happening at 103 Bree Street at any given time.
IMAGES: Grub & Vine, Culture Wine Bar