Couple working to open new wine bar experience in downtown Elgin

If opposites attract, then Jim and Doris Canfield are a good match.

Jim likes white wines like Rieslings; Doris is a woman who prefers reds.

Together, the couple hope their chemistry - and wine knowledge - will help the Red Bar Winery and Bistro succeed in downtown Elgin.

They hope to open the 2,500-square-foot location at 74 S. Grove Ave. by early April and want it to be a destination for wine lovers and people out to please their palates.

"We want people to look at it as a special place, but also feel comfortable enough to come in and have a glass of wine," Doris said.

The concept has been described by some as a fusion of a restaurant, boutique and do-it-yourself winery.

The Canfields' specialty is wine, but they also hired a chef to run their small kitchen.

Their menu ranges from $4 to $16 and features appetizers, salads, soups and rustic pizzas. Portions won't be huge - but large enough to tickle taste buds and pair with wines.

"We don't have any fried foods," said Jim. "What we're looking for is the 'wow' factor in our food to complement our wines. We want to present a unique destination."

Jim, who grew up in suburbs of Bridgeport, Conn., and lived in California for 30 years, began making wine when he was a kid. The couple was a top finisher in a winemaking contest and it piqued their interest - eventually leading to Red Bar.

"I'm a stickler for statistics and quality control and that's how I believe wine should be made," said Jim, who will craft both red and white wines.

The Canfields won't be able to make their own wine right away, so they will buy it from a winery in California to start off.

Jim said one label will be called "Recession Red."

"We're going to sell it for as low as we possibly can sell it," he said.

But once they have time to ferment a few batches, they have plenty of ideas how to get the public involved and give a little back to the community.

One promotion idea is an "Artist Series" in which local artists are invited to submit their label designs to the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Winners would have their designs affixed as labels and would receive 5 percent of the overall profit.

Another idea is a "Historic Series" with drawings and photos of historic Elgin sites used on wine labels. Five percent of profits would go the Elgin Historical Society.

"It's our way of thanking the community for letting us in and helping us out," he said.

Overall, they're planning to have five brands: the Artist and Historic series, the Red Bar or house label, the Fox River, and Fox River Premiere labels.

Red Bar also will host winemaking and cooking classes. The Canfields set up a large flat-screen TV near the bar area. But aside from the occasional Notre Dame game, the TV will show an overhead view of cooking demonstrations to people in the main seating area.

"We want them (classes) to be fun experiences. People shouldn't look at it like 'ugh, there's going to be a test at the end.' We want people to enjoy it and walk away with some knowledge," Doris said.

Doris said people can go through the full six-week winemaking process or simply pop in to design and affix a custom label or find somewhere in between. She said a class also can be good for groups because a 200-gallon vat will render about 1,000 bottles of wine.

"People can be as involved as they want to be. We'll have different types of wine that are ready to be bottled," she said. "It's a great idea for groups. People can make their own wine for any occasion."

The Canfields started planning their venture nearly two years ago. They don't have a grand opening date set in stone, but hope for early April.

"Some people are surprised we're still going forward," Doris said. "There's no turning back. We're committed."

Although the nearby Prairie Rock Brewery recently closed after a 13-year run downtown, merchants are hopeful Red Bar will make its mark.

"In typical downtown fashion, as one door closes another one opens. There's something new brewing in downtown. But it's not beer ... it's wine," wrote Tonya Hudson, the Downtown Neighborhood Association executive director, on her blog.

The Canfields also hope to capture some of the spirit from the city's first wine festival at Festival Park on May 23.

"Just having the foot traffic is great and is one of the reasons we're here," Doris said.

<p class="News"><b>What: </b>A bisto and winery offering cooking and winemaking classes. Opening in April, date to be announced.</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> 74 S. Grove Ave., Elgin</p> <p class="News"><b>Hours:</b> Closed Monday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.</p> <p class="News"><b>Menu:</b> appetizers, salads, soups, small dinner plates and rustic pizzas. Range is from $4 to $16.</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (847) 695-1659 or <a href="mailto:redbarwinery@tbc.net">redbarwinery@tbc.net</a></p>