AVONDALE — An Avondale basement has been transformed into a wine shop carrying European and Mexican wines.
Vinoteca, 3035 N. California Ave., opens Saturday with wines from Spain, Portugal and Mexico, including smaller independent vineyards wanting to expand their products.
Owner Paula Schroeder said her curated boutique wine shop is bringing European culture and flavors to the Northwest Side, as she picked the more than 50 wines with help from her mother. Bottles are $20-$50.
Schroeder spent months renovating the spot, which is in a basement. She added a new floor, steps, fresh white paint, flowers and furniture to create a more inviting vibe, she said.
“I want it to be for the people. I want people that live in the area to come by,” Schroeder said.
Schroeder lives in Wicker Park and chose the Avondale spot for its size and neighborhood feel. As her first business, she didn’t want to take on too large of a space and wanted to add to the local business community.
The outside of Vinoteca at 3035 N. California Ave. was recently painted white to stand out, as seen Aug. 16, 2024. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago
Schroeder, who grew up in Mexico City and whose parents now live in Spain, has always been surrounded by wine. Her mother is a chef and works with vineyards in Spain, so she was able to discover makers who want to get their products into the United States, she said.
“I would say around Christmas time, I’ll have my first import of wineries who have never been in the U.S. before, so it will be exclusive,” she said. “They are family-owned small wineries … . My mom’s looking for the connections, and they are looking for the connections, so together we found those wineries. It’s also been really fun to work with my mom since I only see her twice a year.”
Paula Schroeder, owner of Vinoteca at 3035 N. California Ave., shows off her summer wine bottles during a shop visit Aug. 16, 2024. Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago
Vinoteca plans to start a wine club next month and offer educational events, including a class taught by her mother.
Similar to other Avondale wine shops that have popped up recently, Schroeder wants Vinoteca to be accessible and informative for novice and advanced wine fans.
“I don’t want to be a wine store where you come in and it’s daunting or intimidating to find wine,” she said. “I want it to be pretty easy for people, so that is my approach to the wine club.”
Schroeder plans to stock up on non-alcoholic and canned wines in the future. She has a summer shelf to get customers started with lighter wines for the season, and there is a separate section for reds and whites. Her favorites on the rack include an Espuma de Pietra, Amorro Espumoso, a Bodega Vinifate from Spain and Mexico.
Vinoteca will have a grand opening noon-5 p.m. Saturday with wine tastings and snacks. The shop is open noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday — and whenever Schroeder happens to be at the store.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: