Grape Expectations: Patio Wine Bar Grape Vibes is Our New Summer Hangout

Our city is no stranger to delicious wines—Fabrique St George’s and Dachi offer extensive wine programs that many of us are still working our way through—but there’s always excitement when a new watering hole appears on the scene. While we’re still mourning the loss of Bar Susu, we’re thankful that former staffers Alexandra Hulley and Gavin Busby are filling that void with their new venture, Grape Vibes.

Located at The Boxcar on Main Street, Grape Vibes’ concept is simple: a rotating selection of natural wines served all summer long, in a setting that’s as relaxed as hanging out in your friend’s backyard.

“Both of us come from a fine dining background where we were working with lots of natural wine,” says Hulley. “So [we wanted] to bring that knowledge and passion into an atmosphere that’s a little bit more laidback.”

Opening Grape Vibes might have been written in the stars for Busby and Hulley. When Bar Susu sadly shuttered in May, Hulley was invited to open a summer patio bar at the Boxcar—a move she calls the “easiest job transition of all time.”

With years of experience and lots of wine tastings under their belts, Busby and Hulley curated a wine list with all of their favourites. These wines are all dubbed as natural wines—to which I asked, what the heck are natural wines?

Natural wines aren’t so much about the taste, but more about the people who make them. These bottles are typically made by small producers who farm holistically, taking good care of the land and opting to grow the fruits without any pesticides or herbicides. The wines are also made with minimal intervention, meaning that there are little to no additives. The result: a wine that showcases the grape in its purest form.

Grape Vibes offers a wide range of natural reds, whites and sparklings, ranging from the crisp Beurer Trollinger Trocken from Germany (best enjoyed chilled!) and Austria’s Rózsa Petsovits, which Busby aptly describes as a “rosé with shoulder pads.”

The Boxcar has long been a favourite for laidback drinks, but Hulley and Busby are reimagining the space as a community hub inspired by the rooftop and patio bars they loved in Mexico—think casual snacks, good company and a welcoming vibe. Recent weeks have seen a flurry of pop-ups and barbecues, and the duo is gearing up for a Chilean BBQ party on July 9, followed by a collaboration with Fanny Bay Oysters on July 12.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Fanny Bay Oysters (@fannybayoysters)

“You’re out with your friends and you’re drinking wine and you need a bite to eat,” says Busby. “So having access to amazing grilled meats and sandwiches or oysters is important. Anyone who is really passionate about what they do and takes a lot of pride in what they do—we’re happy to have them.”

It’s all great vibes at Grape Vibes: visit the patio wine bar at 917 Main Street.

Reservations here