Highland House is the wine bar you’ve been waiting for. You’ll find it in the King William District on Alamo Street right next to the Friendly Spot Ice House in an historic house full of neighborhood soul.
That’s the perfect setting for a business run by millennial winemakers who are as much storytellers as wine mavens. The married founders and owners of Serrano Wines, Sarah and Brice Garrett, cut their (wine) teeth in California’s Paso Robles region before opening a tasting room in Fredericksburg post-pandemic. They have built a boutique brand that makes small lots of scrumptious wine, and now, they’re bringing it to San Antonio.
The Garretts are whiz kids when it comes to grapes, dabbling in Barbera, Graciano, Sagrantino, Montepulciano (and more). Their expertly crafted wines have won accolades, with their red lauded as structured and smooth, and the whites, especially the Viognier, lush and full bodied. Naturally iconoclastic, they’ve been rule breakers from the get-go, satisfying their curiosity and following their heart in the wine world. As if to honor the artistry of winemaking and l’art de vivre, their bottles are graced with colorful labels that depict stunning abstract paintings created by Sarah’s grandfather. Independent, hardworking and above all passionate, the Garretts want to share their enthusiasm.
Highland House is meant to be a storyteller’s bar. “Wine is something that can connect different cultures. It is a product that has such a deep story in itself with every bottle of wine being an outcome of thousands of different decisions — not to mention the people’s stories, those who grow the grapes and make the wines,” Sarah said.
“The stories are vivid, colorful and unique. We want to hear your story, too,” Brice added.
Along with enjoying wine, Highland House is a place to share stories. | Courtesy photo
The Garretts encourage guests to exchange opinions, life stories and wine chatter. They want guests to feel safe exploring and experimenting as they quaff wine, tell tales and listen to the stories being told around them. “Dumb” questions are as welcome as intellectual repartee or boasting. “Wine is so subjective,” Sarah said. “We want people to know that.”
Brice added, “We are big proponents in drinking whatever tastes good to you.”
Sure to evoke a “Cheers”-style affability (where everyone knows your name), Highland House welcomes regulars and newcomers alike, not to mention oenophiles, teetotalers and swillers on the learning curve. With a casually chic, wine-swanky vibe, it’s a moody haven for date night or a retreat for quick tipple after work. Though not a sports bar, it features muted televisions in every room, meant to encourage sports lovers to gather, wine glass aloft, to cheer on their favorite teams.
“We want Highland House to be where you go to learn about wine and get super geeky, come in solo with a book for a glass or two and sit in a cozy corner, ask for a cult wine or be curious and try something new,” Sarah said. “We envision it as the place with fun music where friends can meet up after months of not seeing each other or come in to buy a bottle and watch their team play.”
The couple have created an unpretentious setting for sipping, nibbling, silliness, reset, relaxation or intellectual repartee.
Sarah Garrett is co-founder/co-owner of Serrano Wine and Highland House. | Courtesy photo
Serrano Wines, of course, are the bar’s focal point and the house brand. But Highland House offers a diverse array of wines from around the world.
“We don’t just want to share our wine and our story, but to share stories of wine as a whole,” Sarah said.
Sparkling wine, especially Champagne, is prominently spotlighted, too.
“We’re Champagne lovers,” Brice said, noting that Highland House showcases a range of bubbly styles, including Cavas, Crémants, Proseccos and other sparkling varieties.
White, red and rosé still wine, plus some ciders (and possibly some vermouth-based cocktails later) also take center stage. Though Highland House has no commercial kitchen, the food menu includes small bites and charcuterie plates.
If you are wondering why they call their wines Serrano and the bar Highland House? Hint: there’s a mountain theme. You’ll have to drop in and let Sarah and Brice tell you themselves.
Highland House
935 S. Alamo St.