Preface Wine is now open at 279 NE 2nd Avenue in Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove, and it works two ways: a wine shop during the day and a wine bar from 4 p.m. on. Its first seated event, a baseball-themed tasting on the eve of the World Series, ran Thursday, Oct. 22, and the shop is open until 9 p.m. tonight.

A shop by day, a bar after 4 p.m.

During the day, customers browse the shelves, scan a label and read about a wine before buying it. At 4 p.m. the lighting changes, the shelves slide back and the room turns into a wine bar. Any bottle in the shop can be taken home or opened there.

The shop's own story page describes Preface as an answer to a wine world that can make newcomers feel shut out, and says guests do not need any particular knowledge to walk in.

What is on the shelf

The online shop lists bottles from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Oregon and California. Examples include a Provence rosé and a Saar Riesling at $22 and $26, a Chianti Classico at $28, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at $48, and a Lallier Brut Champagne at $65. Each listing also shows a member price 10 percent lower.

Events at the Owner's Table

Preface holds small seated events at one table, which it calls the Owner's Table. The grand opening began Thursday, October 22, the night before the World Series, with Wine and Baseball: Starting Lineup. The event paired six wines with six players and moments from baseball history, including a Barolo for Joe DiMaggio and vintage Champagne for a perfect game. It had two seatings, at 6 and 8 p.m., with eight seats each, for $145 per guest.

Earlier events included The Fog Line, a blind tasting of two Napa wines on October 1, and Rock and Roll Hall of Pours on September 9. There was also The Preface Primer on October 6, a $1 introduction to wine for young professionals: four pours, about an hour and ten seats. Tickets are booked through OpenTable from the shop's Our Events page, where future dates will be posted.

The wine club

The Preface Wine Club sends six bottles every two months, 36 a year. Boxes are ready on the 15th of January, March, May, July, September and November. Members can pick up their box at a free tasting at the shop or have it delivered. There are three tiers, billed monthly:

  • The Preface, $99 a month: bottles averaging about $35 to $40, 10 percent off shop and bar purchases, priority reservations and first access to tastings.
  • Limited, $199 a month: bottles averaging about $70 to $80, small-production wines, quarterly wine education sessions and early access to Limited Edition events.
  • Master, $499 a month: bottles averaging about $175 to $200, rare and allocated releases, full concierge service and a yearly Owner's Table experience.

How to go

Preface Wine is at 279 NE 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444, in Pineapple Grove. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The bar and tastings are for guests 21 and older. Tables can be reserved on the shop's website, and seated events are listed on its Our Events page. Call (561) 930-9463, email [email protected], or follow @prefacewinebar on Instagram.

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