Grape Witches has opened a new bottle shop at Waterworks Food Hall, Toronto’s recently-opened culinary destination in the heart of King West.
The wine shop and bar complements the Food Hall’s dynamic offerings, with an exciting and ever-evolving selection of over 250 organic, biodynamic, and natural wines as well as non-alcoholic options in a lively, community-oriented space.
“Wine can traditionally be so stuffy, but there’s so much joy in the creativity, voices, and places that go into it behind the scenes. Our goal has always been to share that joy as widely as possible (without the attitude) and bring folks together over dynamic flavour with a story to tell,” said Co-Founder & GW director Nicole Campbell.
The Waterworks location, she added, is more than just a shop; it’s an immersive hub for learning, tasting, and gathering.
“We’re taking all the things we’ve learned from our community over the years and truly opening the space of our dreams.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Grape Witches as a vibrant addition to the Waterworks Food Hall and a community hub where everyone, from seasoned wine enthusiasts to curious newcomers, can explore the world of wine,” said Eve Lewis, CEO of Woodcliffe Landmark Properties. “Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where people can
learn, connect, and discover new favourites. With educational events and a focus on building community, we expect Grape Witches at Waterworks will become a beloved destination for wine lovers.”
Located in a meticulously restored and repurposed heritage building, the Waterworks Food Hall is home to 15 cuisines, three bars, 12,000 square feet of event space and three outdoor patios. The former City of Toronto machine shop was redeveloped by Woodcliffe Landmark Properties and MOD Developments and meticulously restored by a deep bench of architectural and design talent, including Diamond Schmitt, ERA Architects, Steven Fong Architect, DesignAgency, Cecconi Simone and Futurestudio.
Woodcliffe Landmark Properties is a boutique residential and commercial real estate development company passionate about preserving architectural heritage and creating intelligent, innovative, and considered designs. They have an award-winning portfolio of notable landmarks in Toronto, such as the North Toronto Station, King James Place, The Shops of Summerhill, and the Flatiron Building.
Grape Witches was founded in 2015 by industry veterans on a mission. What began as a series of parties and educational events to share and demystify the world of organic, biodynamic, and natural wines has evolved into Toronto’s go-to wine authority, with two bottle shop and wine bar locations, an import agency, Ontario’s most unique Wine Club, and more.
The company said the new location marks a pivotal step for it as the Toronto-grown business expands beyond its existing shop at Dundas and Ossington to make natural wine producers and hard-to-find bottles more accessible to a broader audience.
Concept began as a series of parties and educational events
Founded in 2015, Grape Witches said the concept began as a series of parties and educational events pouring the rare and delicious organic, biodynamics, and natural wines its team loves. Since then, the brand has expanded to become Toronto’s go-to authority on all things wine, with undertakings including a bottle shop and wine bar, an import agency, and an event hub and wine club.
Designed by Toronto powerhouse Futurestudio, the bottle shop reflects the community-driven ethos shared by Grape Witches and Waterworks, incorporating custom furnishings and art installations by local makers and artists including Paul Georgio, Katie Kohls, Susan for Susan, and Laura Dawe, it said.
“The result is a warm space, complete with a cozy rail bar that seats eight, and bespoke shelving and displays for over 250 wines. The shop also has a patio for sipping wine flights and recommendations in the sunshine. Grape Witches’ knowledgeable, passionate staff will host programming including education hours and events to bring people into the world of natural wines.”
Related Retail Insider articles:
- Waterworks Food Hall becomes Toronto’s latest culinary destination (Photos)
- Waterworks Food Hall to Open in Downtown Toronto Next Month, Showcasing 20 Gourmet Vendors in Historic Location [Interview/Photos]
