After attending regional wine tastings and participating in wine pairing and tasting classes, Koeppen and Yarberry opened Friends Uncorked in July 2013 to provide a quiet environment for fellow connoisseurs to enjoy a glass of wine.
"We wanted to offer a place where women and men could come and enjoy a nice glass of wine and not have smoke or be in a loud place, but a nice, calm place where they could enjoy their evening," Koeppen said. "We don't want it to be too loud. We want it homey and for people to feel comfortable when they come in."
Friends Uncorked has a sizable international wine collection. The wine bar features more than 60 brands that originate from various countries, including Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina and France as well as domestic brands.
To sustain a revolving wine selection, Koeppen said she and Yarberry rotate the wine menu every three months and attend various wine tastings to build their collection.
However, most of the wine recommendations come from customer input and requests, Koeppen said.
"If our customers are saying they like a specific wine, we will go ahead and try it, and if we like it, we will add it to the menu," she said.
To ensure a complete wine experience, Friends Uncorked also features a pairing and appetizer menu containing different platters, including a meat and cheese option. Koeppen said each dish is crafted to enhance the taste of different wines.
"You want [the wine] to complement the food," she said. "You do not want it to overpower the food. Sometimes when you are drinking certain styles, the wine may seem very strong, but when you pair the right food with it, it makes the wine taste great."
Growth and popularity have inspired Koeppen and Yarberry to provide a more expansive food menu that goes beyond platters and appetizers. On April 1 the wine bar debuted a revamped lunch menu.
Koeppen and Yarberry said they are looking to expand the bar's patio area to include a canopy to accommodate live music and different events. Friends Uncorked hosts various weekly events, including wine tastings, painting classes, game nights and annual holiday events.
"A lot of the artists really like our atmosphere, and they want to play [music] every month," Yarberry said. "We want to keep growing and offer more events."
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