Sarah Rose DrakeIf you’re looking for the perfect gift of wine this holiday season, be sure to visit the Marietta Wine Cellars on Second Street in Marietta this year. Not only do they have a fine selection of seasonal wines such as Sugar Plum and Yuletide, but you can also pick up a bottle or two of their signature wines like River Red or Sternwheel White.
During the Christmas season, and throughout the year, customers may order a variety of gift baskets that can be made with select wines and include personal items or any wine accessories, gifts or food items from the MWC gift shop. One of the most popular gift baskets, called “The Marietta Basket,” includes other wonderful products proudly made in Marietta such as Rossi Pasta and Putnam Chocolates paired with Marietta Wine Cellar wine.
Marietta Wine Cellars (MWC) is a local Marietta family-owned business with two generations of family members creating wonderful wines each year. MWC first opened their doors at Putnam Commons in 2000 when Allen Phillips decided to turn his home winemaking hobby into a business venture. In 2001, Marietta Wine Cellars started selling their first four wine flavors.
After a few years at Putnam Commons and some successful sale years, MWC decided to expand by moving into a larger space on Front Street in Marietta. Even after surviving through multiple major floods, Marietta Wine Cellars was able to continue to thrive even more, and decided yet another move was best for their future.
In February of 2010, MWC moved once again. This time the move was to the corner of Front and Butler Streets, where the space was bigger for expanding upon future ideas, more street visibility and parking for customers. “We were very much looking forward to this new space,” said Kari Rings, current corporate officer and daughter of Allen Phillips. “However, that dream was cut short when just over a month later, the store was burglarized and burnt to the ground. Losing everything we had worked so hard for in those 10 years was devastating.” But after much discussion, the family decided that they just couldn’t let the setback beat them and decided to once again bring Marietta wine back to the community.
In June 2010, the winery and gift shop reopened at their current location at 211 Second Street, providing an expanded parking lot, restaurant/lounge, deli, gift shop and kitchen.
After many wonderful years in business, and going through many ups and downs, in 2014 Marietta Wine Cellars suffered the worst loss of all, the death of the owner, Allen Phillips, who passed away after suffering from ALS.
“We are all very much like family. We see each other as much as our family, and when treated like family, we all care about what happens here, and want the best for all.”
But now, reaching their fifteen-year anniversary, Marietta Wine Cellars is now owned and operated by Allen’s wife, Mary Jane Phillips with the help of her and Allen’s daughters, Dee Stewart, and Kari Rings. They also have the support of other family members and very close friends employed at MWC. “We are all very much like family. We see each other as much as our family, and when treated like family, we all care about what happens here, and want the best for all,” said Kari Rings.
Now, Marietta Wine Cellars offers even more to customers, including special occasion gifts, wine accessories, food items, a cheese and meat deli, wine and beer making supplies, ice cream, a lounge for events, food and bar and of course, the wine that started it all! They also host their weekly “Wine Down Time” every Friday evening with appetizers, dessert and live music.
The Marietta Wine Cellars currently stocks over 30 signature wines as well as seven limited edition and seasonal wines. Also, coming in 2016, MWC plans to expand their line with at least three new wines to add to their signature collection. In hopes to give back to the community and organizations close to their hearts, they plan to release wines that will offer proceeds to selected organizations.
For more information on the Marietta Wine Cellars, check out their Facebook page for new releases, lunch specials and monthly events – or visit their website.