Cheers to New Beginnings: Menlo Park’s Newest Wine Bar Opens Its Doors

Menlo Park has welcomed a new wine bar, Haven Wine & Cheese, which opened on June 21 in the Willows neighborhood. This venture is the brainchild of two longtime friends and single mothers, Sam Martinez-Colson and Lea Redmond. Both have deep ties to the area, having raised their families there and nurtured the dream of opening a wine bar for over 16 years.

The concept started with Redmond’s desire to open a tea shop, but the plan evolved when Martinez-Colson expressed interest in adding wine to the mix. Redmond previously co-owned a business called Oeste in Oakland, which further fueled her passion for wine.

When they discovered that a former hair salon space had been rezoned for restaurant use, they saw the opportunity to bring their vision to life, despite the property’s run-down appearance at the time. With hard work and determination, the space transformed into Haven, adorned with a stylish gold-script sign, a mural by Daniel Huenergardt, and a welcoming back patio.

The interior features shelves lined with wine bottles, many highlighting women and people of color winemakers, which aligns with the owners’ mission to promote diversity in wine. Redmond is Black, and Martinez-Colson is Mexican-American, and both are committed to making wine appreciation accessible to everyone.

Behind the menu is Chef Son Souvatdy, whose culinary offerings include an impressive selection of tinned fish, charcuterie boards, fruit-forward gazpacho, kimchi mac and cheese, and various grab-and-go options. Haven offers a variety of wines by the glass or bottle, sourced from regions like New Zealand, Italy, and Northern California, alongside non-alcoholic options and a selection of beers and ciders.

Brunch service is slated to begin soon, appealing to both locals and visitors alike.

Details: The wine bar operates from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, located at 1925 Menalto Ave., Menlo Park. More information can be found at havenmenlopark.com.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!