New wine shop Chateau Maplewood is now open in Maplewood

Wine shop Chateau Maplewood quietly opened doors at 7326 Manchester Road this week, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Owner and certified sommelier Brian Hobbs, formerly the general manager at Bar Les Fréres, currently offers around 60 bottles for purchase. He plans to have 250 available after Chateau Maplewood hosts its grand opening the first week of May.

Hobbs said the space also has a wine bar where customers can sample eight to 10 rotating bottles that span the globe. Beer and simple classic cocktails like Manhattans and Old-Fashioneds are available, too, though Hobbs said he’s not looking to compete with neighboring establishments like Side Project Brewing and Schlafly Bottleworks.

“I want to complement what’s going on in this neighborhood,” he said.

He hopes people will stop in to start or end a night out in Maplewood. “My ultimate night would be a couple to come in and have a glass of wine and an appetizer before they go to Reeds [American Table],” he said.  

Hobbs said he hopes to educate his customers on excellent wines in the $8 to $15 price range. Eventually, he wants value wines to make up a quarter to a third of the wine list.

After the grand opening, Chateau Maplewood will also roll out a short food menu focusing on cheese, charcuterie, salads and sandwiches.

Adam Rothbarth is a staff writer at Sauce Magazine.