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Solon-based wine club-winery teams with restaurant for dinner

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/16 .. lub-winery-teams-with-restaurant-for-dinner.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 7:50 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Solon‑Based Wine Club Partners With Local Restaurant for Exclusive Dinner Experience

On September 18, 2025, a unique culinary collaboration hit the Ohio dining scene, uniting the craft of Solon‑based wine club The Vine Collective with the upscale dining experience of St. Charles Restaurant. The event, billed as “A Night of Pairings,” offered guests an intimate evening of locally sourced dishes paired with hand‑selected vintages from The Vine’s burgeoning portfolio. Below is a comprehensive look at what made the partnership a hit and how it could shape future wine‑and‑dine endeavors in the region.

The Vine Collective: From Solon to the Vine

Founded in 2019 by long‑time oenophile and entrepreneur Marissa Liu, The Vine Collective began as a subscription‑based wine club that shipped a rotating selection of boutique wines to its members each month. The club’s mission—“to bring the world’s best small‑producer wines into the comfort of your home”—quickly earned a reputation for both quality and education. Members received tasting notes, pairing suggestions, and access to exclusive members‑only events.

“The idea was always to make the experience personal and engaging,” Liu explains. “We didn’t just want people to taste wine; we wanted them to learn about its story, the terroir, and the winemaker behind it.” (Source: The Vine Collective website, “About Us” page)

Liu’s ambition has led The Vine Collective to explore collaborations beyond the subscription model. The partnership with St. Charles Restaurant is the latest step, aiming to blend the club’s curated wine expertise with a chef‑crafted menu.

St. Charles Restaurant: A Culinary Anchor in Cleveland

St. Charles Restaurant, located on East 9th Street in downtown Cleveland, has been a culinary fixture since 2007. Led by Chef Jonathan “Jon” Ramirez, the restaurant blends seasonal American cuisine with a global palate, earning multiple accolades from the Cleveland Scene and a 3‑star rating from Zagat.

The partnership’s announcement came via a joint press release on St. Charles’ blog, where Ramirez stated, “Partnering with The Vine Collective gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase how wine can elevate each course of our dinner menu.” The release, available on the restaurant’s website, highlighted the synergy between the two brands and promised an evening that would be “a celebration of flavor, texture, and aroma.”

The Dinner Experience

Date and Time: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Venue: St. Charles Restaurant, 900 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH

Capacity: 30 guests (limited to preserve an intimate setting)

Ticket Price: $155 per person, which included a 4‑course dinner, a 3‑hour wine tasting, and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine upon arrival.

The menu, curated by Chef Ramirez in collaboration with The Vine Collective’s lead sommelier, James Carter, consisted of the following courses:

1. Amuse‑bouche: Truffle‑infused scallop with citrus foam, paired with the club’s 2019 Napa Valley Chardonnay.
2. Starter: Roasted beet tart with goat cheese, accompanied by the 2020 Bordeaux‑styled Merlot.
3. Main Course: Herb‑crusted pork tenderloin with rosemary jus, matched to the 2021 Rhône Valley Syrah.
4. Dessert: Dark chocolate ganache with sea salt, paired with a 2020 Italian Barolo.

Between courses, Carter guided guests through a tasting of three limited‑release wines: a 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2018 Oregon Pinot Noir, and a 2019 Australian Shiraz. Each tasting included an in‑depth explanation of the wine’s varietal, vintage conditions, and suggested food pairings.

Highlights from the Event

• Guest Interaction: The evening was designed to be highly interactive. After the first course, guests gathered around a communal table to hear Carter explain how the acidity of the Chardonnay complements the scallops’ delicate flavors. This format encouraged questions and fostered a community atmosphere.

• Behind‑the‑Scenes Insight: At the wine bar, a small display showcased bottles from the Vine Collective’s “Discovery” collection—a curated selection of up-and-coming micro‑wineries. The display also highlighted the club’s “Wine of the Month” that guests could request to order after the dinner.

• Special Touches: To add a touch of exclusivity, each guest received a limited‑edition, custom‑labeled bottle of The Vine Collective’s signature blend, to be enjoyed at home.

• Social Media Buzz: The dinner garnered over 1,200 social media interactions in the first 48 hours, with many guests tagging both The Vine Collective and St. Charles Restaurant in their posts. The event’s Instagram hashtag, #WineAndDineCleveland, trended locally and generated buzz among culinary influencers.

What This Means for the Local Wine Community

Industry observers see the partnership as a potential catalyst for similar collaborations. According to a piece by The Plain Dealer’s food critic, “This collaboration showcases how local wine clubs and restaurants can amplify each other’s offerings, creating an immersive experience that benefits both brands and consumers alike.”

In a press statement, Liu emphasized the club’s vision: “We’re excited to share the world of fine wine with diners who may not have had the chance to explore such variety. By partnering with St. Charles, we can provide an education‑heavy yet enjoyable experience, which is our core mission.”

Meanwhile, Ramirez expressed optimism: “Our guests are always asking how to choose wines that pair well with their meals. This partnership allows us to answer that question with authenticity and depth.”

How to Join Future Events

While the September dinner sold out quickly, The Vine Collective and St. Charles have announced plans to repeat the event in the fall and winter seasons. Potential attendees can sign up for an email newsletter via the Vine Collective’s website, where exclusive pre‑orders for the next dinner will be offered. Additionally, St. Charles is hosting a “Wine & Dine” preview event for select members of the club on October 6, 2025, which will feature a 2‑course tasting menu and a meet‑and‑greet with Chef Ramirez and James Carter.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Solon’s emerging wine club and Cleveland’s renowned restaurant demonstrates a promising new model for culinary partnership. By combining a thoughtfully curated wine selection with a chef’s expertise, the “Night of Pairings” delivered an evening of education, enjoyment, and community that left participants craving more. As the local wine scene continues to evolve, events like this are likely to become a cornerstone of how people experience and appreciate both wine and cuisine in the Greater Cleveland area.