A beloved downtown bottle shop is moving. What to expect at the new store and wine bar

Chris Lingua is expanding his beloved natural wine shop. He plans to move Sauvage Bottle Shop from The Churchill in downtown Phoenix to the historic Helen Anderson House on McDowell Road and Third Avenue in the Roosevelt neighborhood in late summer 2022. The new space will include a natural wine retail store and a wine bar where Lingua will host pop-ups in collaboration with local chefs.

“I’ve been really grateful to already have this amazing incubator for this concept and I want to take this same feeling, but give it more space, like the ability for guests to drink wine by the glass and experience a curated environment,” Lingua said.

A bottle shop that makes wine more approachable

Lingua grew up in California and described his introduction to wine as being rooted in sommelier culture, which felt unreachable to him.

“People often feel like they need to understand more about wine in order to enjoy it,” he said. “That always bothered me because in no other areas are you made to feel that way.”

That changed when he took a trip to France in 2016, after which the idea to start his own wine shop began to blossom.

When Lingua moved to Arizona in 2008, he was hyper-focused on honing his culinary skills. Over the years he worked his way around metro Phoenix, taking on just about every role within hospitality, from server to manager.

In 2018, he opened Sauvage in a shipping container where he began to sell natural wine from small-scale producers from across the globe.

His approach to wine values exploration over expectation. Lingua compares enjoying wine to enjoying music — you don't need to demonstrate how one composes a song in order to like it.

When Lingua talks to customers about wine, he begins by asking a handful of questions. First he asks, “Are you going to be enjoying a bottle with food?” and then “Is there any color you’re leaning toward?” He finds the second question more informative than asking what varietals someone is interested in, as he usually offers six or seven pinot noirs and each one has a completely different flavor profile.

Lingua stocks bottles from wine producers who are focused on sustainable farming practices, native yeast fermentation and lower intervention winemaking, which means there are no additives and little to zero sulfur added at bottling.

“At its simplest, wine is still an agricultural product,” Lingua said. “What I say most often is if you understand the difference between purchasing your produce at the farmer’s market versus the large box store, then you already understand natural wine.”

For current fans of the wine club, Lingua plans to continue offering two and four bottle options each month. At the new location, he is excited to have the space to feature more exploratory opportunities like wine tastings and winemaker dinners.

What to expect at the new Sauvage bottle shop and wine bar

Sauvage is moving to the historic Helen Anderson House, which has been home to many local small businesses over the years, most recently Luana's cafe, and is a nostalgic destination for longtime Phoenicians.

“It’s an honor to be able to be in this space,” Lingua said.

The space is being leased from Charles “Chuckie” Duff, owner of EQ Properties and a partner in Cobra Arcade Bar, Ziggy’s Pizza and Stardust. Duff was an early fan of the Sauvage, where the two met.

Luana's cafe has closed: But it's not over for the beloved coffee and beer bar

“The thing about older buildings is you create an ambiance and experience that you wouldn’t be able to duplicate,” Duff said. “It’s going to be really exciting to see what Chris will be able to do with a space that’s completely his own.”

Music will play a key role in setting the mood and welcoming guests into the home. Expect lo-fi and vinyl selections paired with rotating wine offerings. The interior design will be kept simple to create a calm, comforting vibe, Lingua said.

“People only know what they’ve been exposed to, and we don’t want this space to be a place where people feel judged for what they enjoy, whether it’s about flavors they like or wines at certain price points," he said.

Roughly 80% of the bottle selection will be under $60, and wines by the glass will run $7-$16, which he hopes will encourage exploration.

“My goal is to expose people to different types of food and how they can pair with different types of wine,” Lingua said, adding that pop-ups will be an important part of the experience. “Not only that but it’s also about bringing people together who might not have the opportunity to come together.”

Guests can expect small plates to pair with wine by the glass, including specially cheeses and cured meats, and a number of partnerships including pop-up dinners with local food producers and chefs.

“I want this to be a place where you go that hopefully gives you more of a starting point,” he said. “When people can choose their own adventure it provides a thrill, it’s kind of human nature.”

Lingua plans to open by September 2022.

Details: Sauvage Bottle Shop at The Churchill, 901 N. First St., Phoenix. Sauvage wine bar, opening summer 2022 at 149 W. McDowell Road. sauvagephx.com.

Have a wine tip or question? Email [email protected]. Follow Amelia Goe on Instagram @agoewaffles.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sauvage natural wine shop is opening a bar in downtown Phoenix