Veraison Wine Shop and Bar expands dining capacity

Four years isn’t a long time for wine to age, but the flavors developing at Veraison Wine Shop and Bar in Fairfield are rounding into a fine vintage.

Owner Julia Punj is enthusiastic about the ever-expanding options at Veraison as patio season hits its prime this summer. And for good reason, the little shop at the north end of Second Avenue in Fairfield has become a bookend to the unique offerings of the community it serves.

Especially notable this year are the changes Punj has rolled out. Once just a summer patio stop for sips by the glass and snacks, Veraison has expanded to a full bottle shop and restaurant. That means far better pricing for connoisseurs and first-time tasters alike.

“We have reduced all our pricing to retail versus restaurant pricing and because we were a wine bar before, we didn’t add a corkage fee,” said Punj. “That means we are the only place in Iowa that has retail pricing in our sit-down restaurant area without a corkage fee.”

With an interior overhaul that saw removal of a wall, Veraison has also netted additional indoor dining capacity. Staple offerings are served all day and include large salads, sandwiches, soups in the winter and brunch offerings in the summer.

“You can come for Saturday brunch at 11:30 and order coffee or a mimosa and a brunch board, then sit there all day, have lunch, have dinner,” said Punj. “We’re really about wanting people to come and spend the whole day outside on the patio, just enjoying.”

Punj left Iowa to spend time as a chef in Vancouver and became a sommelier in Aspen before coming home during COVID. Her passion for bringing her wine expertise to her native Fairfield hasn’t wavered since.

“I’m here because I grew up here.”