St. Johns Magazine

Coastal Wine market & tasting Room

4/30/2019

Steve and Shaun Lourie; Co-Owners of Nocatee's best night out!

Photos by Mindy Kerr of Nature's Child Photography

Coastal Wine Market
641 Crosswater Parkway Suite B,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
coastalwinemarket.com

Shaun and Steve Lourie, Co-Owners, welcome everyone to Coastal Wine Market & tasting room in Nocatee with a hug and a smile. The couple’s warmth reflects who they are and their vision within the community. As Shaun puts it, “our guests are part of the family”. “We want CWM to be a place to gather together for a good time, relaxed conversation and personal connection”. “It’s a haven for the adults of northern St. Johns,” adds Steve with a smile.
   The couple moved to Nocatee from New Jersey in 2013 to be closer to family. They loved the community and saw an opportunity to create a gathering place for residents in northern St. Johns. Thus, the concept of a wine market was envisioned and came to fruition. From function to form, the well-traveled pair borrowed business and design elements from favorite places they had visited and enjoyed. Whether a guest stops in for a quick beer, glass of wine or a bite of tapas the experience is always warm and comfortable. That feeling was translated to the interior design and detailed in handmade wooden tables, flight boards and a barn door all designed by local artisans, as well as 120-year-old reclaimed bricks procured from New York City.
   Steve, who is originally from Boston, is a Sommelier and has an extensive background in hospitality. “He has a way with people,” says Shaun. He is the “face” of CWM while she is the wizard behind the scenes, taking care of operations. Together they make the perfect hosts.
   At 4:30 on a Thursday afternoon the place is hopping with activity as neighbors drop by for a glass of wine, a light meal and conversation. Steve says it is not uncommon for guests to strike up a friendship as they sit near each other enjoying fine wine and food. The next time he sees them, they come in together.
   The wine selection, which covers an entire wall, ranges from high end selections to table wines, with each wine displaying a rustic tag with detailed tasting notes. If guests are not sure what to order they just ask Steve for advice or try a flight board to test out a variety and determine their palate. For craft beer lovers, CWM offers the chance to try unique craft beer from local and national breweries. Their esteemed Wine Club is a hit with patrons and offers free membership and three participation levels.

Shaun and Steve have built relationships with winemakers all over the world and host scheduled CWM’s Meet the Winemaker Series where Vintners present their wines and engage guests in casual discussion, complimentary tasting and special discounts. In April they will host Linda Trotta from Jamieson Ranch Vineyards in Napa Valley, California.
   Originally offering cheese boards and meats, the menu has expanded to include light fare. Shaun says they listened to guest requests for more dining options, and Chef Jody delivered with inventive dishes, such as a divine, from scratch pizza with Braised Duck, Prosciutto di Parma, Fig and Local Honey with Spanish Goat Cheese. The tapas menu also features paninis, spinach dip and a signature cheesesteak sandwich as well as other popular favorites all of which pair seamlessly with a craft beer or fine wine.
   When Steve and Shaun talk about Coastal Wine Market & tasting room, its all about love, and they are so gracious and thankful to the community for their support. It was a risk to start a business in a new community but they have been blessed to grow CWM with Nocatee. They will mark their 3 year anniversary with a complimentary tasting on Saturday, June 15th from 6pm to 9pm when they celebrate with patrons and enjoy the opportunity to give-back to the community.
   The next time you need a little respite from life, stop by the place where sooner or later everybody will know your name, Coastal Wine Market & tasting room.

Chef Jody Petronella was destined to enter the culinary world in the footsteps of his family. Chef Jody’s Uncle, a restaurateur himself, started instructing him on creating the family’s favorite Italian dishes. He paid his dues by working at their family restaurant at first by becoming a dishwasher, working the restaurant’s sauté line and eventually taking over the restaurant. After working in other various restaurants, Jody became a Firefighter/Paramedic. However, the lure of the kitchen beckoned him back to becoming a Personal Chef and ultimately to enroll in Culinary School. Next, Chef operated a Food Truck under the name of Jody Cannoli which enabled him to hone his culinary skills and interact directly with his audience. He was on the right path and eager to uncover his next culinary adventure. And, then a fateful meeting with Steven Lourie, Co-Owner of Coastal Wine Market & tasting room, set him in his present position. Chef Jody states, “CWM is totally on the mark with what I want to do – a shop that showcases great wines paired with small plates and entrees to offer a complete guest experience.”