A couple’s dream comes to life with new wine tasting room

John and Debbie Wilson fell in love at a wine tasting event in Irving in 2010.

Their courtship involved their shared affinity for vino with visits to Sonoma and Napa Valley, both in California. Their June 15, 2012, marriage was followed by a honeymoon in Italy, known for its vineyards, and a place where they reveled in their love with La Dolce Vita. or the sweet life.

Both had corporate jobs, his as a chemical engineer in East Texas. His commute took up valuable time away from their time together in their home in Prosper home, north of Dallas.

Deciding that a happy future was linked to their shared passion for wine, they dreamed of becoming owners of a winery that would become Umbra Winery. Looking online, the Wilsons found a winery for sale in Little Elm.

They bought the business established in 2005 and its struggling tasting room in Denton County in January 2013. He quit his job, but she held onto her bank compliance auditing job until their dream was more secure.

They realized they needed a high-profile tasting room to make the business flourish.

“I knew I had to have the perfect place,” said John Wilson, 47. “Grapevine was the best place in the country. This town celebrates wine and people come from all over the world for its attractions. It’s Mayberry but cool and a lot hipper. I knew it would be the absolute best place.”

Wilson said he knew it was a great location when he stood in front of the business in Historic Downtown Grapevine on a weekday afternoon and counted more than 120 adults per hour passing by.

“That was just my side of the street,” Wilson said of the property at 415 S. Main St.

Umbra Winery offers approximately 15 wines, including its award winning “My Cheeky Bastard,” named after a term of endearment coined by their winemaker, John Otis, for his British wife Rebecca.

“Cheeky has a been a six-time winner at GrapeFest in the Blush category,” Wilson said. “While we lean to the dry wines, seasonally we also offer a few dessert wines that pair well with our menu. During the holidays, you’ll also find the aroma of mulled wine wafting about. And in the hot Texas summer months, our winearita machine will be turning out peach or sangria flavored wine libations.”

They struggled to find the perfect name.

Umbra Winery was the winner.

“The astronomical definition of umbra is the completely dark portion of the shadow cast by the earth, moon or other body during an eclipse,” Debbie Wilson said. “The Umbra logo is essentially the image of two heavenly bodies that meet. And while scientific, it is also quite beautiful.”

John Wilson said winemaking is an art and a science and Umbra blends the two.

On the science side their tasting room features interactive jars that allow customers to experience the “nose” of their wines and test their know-how of the aromatic notes by smelling them in devices made by Wilson.

As for art, he said, “There is a distinctive cool, yet relaxing European vibe in our tasting room reminiscent of some of the wine bars found in and around Italy or Spain.”

Their menu showcases food that pairs with their wines. Selections include bruschetta, burrata cheese and the gelato sampler.

The décor features photo art work of some well-known Italian actors back in their heyday. The European element is a familiar feel for Debbie Wilson, who spent many years living and traveling in Europe.

Their tasting room displays wines that may be purchased by the glass, bottle or case. A small retail shop carries wine accessories, local chocolates and gifts.

“When you come to Umbra, we want you to experience a relaxing time enjoying great wine, delicious light food and wonderful friends, be they old or new,” Debbie Wilson said.

The tasting room had a soft opening on Nov. 28 and will hold its grand opening on Jan. 17-18.

John Wilson said the business is everything they wanted.

“It’s been wonderful,” he said.

This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 10:51 AM with the headline "A couple’s dream comes to life with new wine tasting room."