Julia Steffen, the owner of her own marketing company for years, decided to lend a helping hand to her friend and neighbor, Betsy Braddock, with her Italian wine importing business. This eventually led to the idea of starting an ecommerce site selling wine and offering a wine club, which came to fruition in 2022. However, Steffen soon realized that there was a demand for a physical space where people could taste the wine, leading her to open Vinofiore at 5039 Main St. in Shallotte in March 2023.
While Vinofiore is not directly related to Braddock’s Petrea Imports business, they do carry their wines along with selections from other companies. The shop quickly outgrew their initial space and expanded into the neighboring unit just a few months after opening. After a few weeks of renovation in December, the new and expanded space opened in February. The renovated space now offers seating for about 40 people, including tables and cozy chairs.
Vinofiore prides itself on offering global wines from small and medium-sized producers that can’t be found in grocery stores. They offer daily tastings of six featured wines, free of charge. Additionally, customers can purchase a glass to enjoy in the relaxing setting of the shop. Vinofiore also sells gifts, snacks, and crackers, hosts special wine events, a wine club, and live music. The space is available for private events after hours or on Sundays and Mondays.
Steffen shares her passion for wine and how she has enjoyed learning more about the subject. She describes wine as a fascinating and enormous topic. Despite being something different for the area, Vinofiore has received a positive response from the community, with many excited to have a space like this in the area.
