San Antonio will soon raise its glass to a unique Austin-based wine bar. Cape Bottle Room, which showcases South African wines, will debut on November 3 at 1803 Broadway St. #108 in the historic Pearl District.
Austinites may be familiar with the area, one of the first stops for many visitors in search of food, beer, shopping, and more.
New York hospitality vet Danya Declusin introduced Cape Bottle Room to Austin in spring 2022 with a goal of highlighting South Africa’s blossoming wine industry. The nation has had a renaissance in winemaking since it abolished apartheid in the ‘90s, paving the way for a more inclusive industry.
“Every bottle we pour tells a story about the land, the winemaker, and South African culture,” says Declusin in a release. “We couldn’t imagine a better place to call our next home than San Antonio, a city that values culture, hospitality, and bringing people together.”
Just like the East Austin location at 500 San Marcos St., the Pearl location will offer guests the chance to enjoy tastings, wine flights, and to-go bottles of South Africa’s signature varietals, like Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. The shareable small plates also pay homage to the country with charcuterie boards stacked with biltong (dried, cured beef marinated in vinegar and spices) and droëwers (dried sausages seasoned with coriander seed, clove, and nutmeg).
Cape Bottle Room founder Danya Declusin.Photo courtesy of Cape Bottle Room
The future hot spot also plans to pack San Antonio’s social calendar with events such as wine classes, chef dinners, and rugby watch parties. In Austin, that has also included tastings, dance parties, and sessions with a medium. The community component is essential to Declusin, both among her customers and her suppliers.
Cape Bottle Room prioritizes South African producers who use responsible growing practices and ethical craftsmanship.
“Cape Bottle Room has always been about more than wine,” Declusin adds in a statement. “It’s about bringing people together through conversation and curiosity. We’re thrilled to join the San Antonio community and look forward to connecting with our new neighbors.”
Cape Bottle Room will introduce itself to San Antonio with a soft opening between November 3-5, before celebrating a grand opening weekend, November 7-9. Hours will be Monday through Thursday, 4-10 pm; Friday, 4 pm to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; and Sunday, noon to 9 pm.