FINE WINES: “While our focus is on fine wines from smaller vineyards, we also offer craft beer, mostly from New Jersey, and spirits from small distilleries, along with some well-known brands. We will have a special bourbon tasting event this month. Quality is key here, and with our friendly atmosphere, it is a welcoming place. Our location in the Pennington Shopping Center is excellent, with convenient parking and accessibility.” Delroy Williams, owner of the Princeton Wine Company, looks forward to introducing more customers to his exceptional selection and inviting setting.

By Jean Stratton

The Princeton Wine Company is unique. Not only can customers buy wine, beer, and spirits to take home, they can also enjoy a glass of a special curated wine in the charming and intimate Wine Bar.

Located in the Pennington Shopping Center at 25 Route 31 South, it is the new venture of Delroy Williams. After 11 years as director of food and beverages at The Nassau Club, he opened his new business in July 2022.

“I very much enjoyed my time at The Nassau Club, and I made many good friends there,” he says. “I enjoyed its conviviality and warm atmosphere.”

Wanting to spend more time with his young family, he decided to establish his own business, affording him more flexible hours. When the Pennington location became available, it was an ideal opportunity for him. With his experience and special knowledge of wine, opening the Princeton Wine Company was a dream come true.

Special Setting
A retail operation, offering wine for sale within a special setting including a Wine Bar, blended both his knowledge of wine and his desire for interaction with customers.

“Wine brings people together,” explains Williams. “I wanted to have a space where people would be comfortable and enjoy themselves in a relaxed club-like setting.

“Quality is always uppermost, and we have very fine wines with affordable prices. Our wines will meet and exceed customers’ expectations.”

Wines are available from all over the world, he reports, including the U.S., France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, and South America.

As he explains, “I work with my colleagues and suppliers to source out wine from smaller vineyards worldwide. We specialize in curated wines; that is, wines that larger wine retailers don’t carry.

“We taste all the wines that we sell, and we carry more than 100 different brand names. We offer easy drinking wine and those more complex in structure, including body, tannins, the olfactory factor, etc. In wine, there is the nose effect and the mouth effect.”

New Wines
The wines are conveniently displayed according to flavor, adds Williams. Dry, full-bodied, sweeter, fruitier, and so on. Some customers are very knowledgeable about wine, he notes, and others welcome advice about what to buy.

“Whatever the customers’ experience, our store is set up to help them explore new wines or enjoy their longtime favorites,” says Williams. “We try to assist in every way we can, including helping customers to pair food with wine, according to what they will be eating, from appetizers to entrées to desserts.”

“We can also suggest pairing wine with hors d’oeuvres at cocktail parties,” he continues. “In addition, we can help customers with the number of bottles they will need for the party, depending on its size. Many people really appreciate our guidance when they are planning a party.”

Williams also offers a number of events at minimal costs to help people learn more about wine. On November 9, he has scheduled a Thanksgiving Wine Party at 6 p.m. “We will present wines that are good with Thanksgiving menu items. Guests can try six different wines, with a certified sommelier. The wines will also be available for sale.

“We have private tastings for a minimum of five people, and new this month, we are offering Wine Together, where Wine Club Members can come together and share opinions on different wines that can be sampled. It’s a chance for informal conversation and wine sharing.”

Williams points out that new wines are added to the inventory all the time. “I love exploring new wines. Every week, we are trying new ones, and they all have to meet our standards. Many of the wines we offer are allocated, that is, they are exclusive to us in the area. That is also true of many of our spirits.”

Customer Requests
Princeton Wine Company offers a Wine Club Membership, which is currently complimentary. It provides members with special benefits, including discounts, and priority on certain wines and spirits.

In addition, says Williams, “We have a concierge service. We will try to find special wines requested by our customers.”

Catering is another service offered, and private parties can also be held in the Wine Bar. Twenty-five to 30 people can be accommodated standing, and 10 to 20 seated.

The inclusion of the Wine Bar has been an inspired decision. Extremely popular with customers, the attractive, sophisticated, yet warm setting is very inviting. Tables for two, along with a small banquette, encourage genial interaction. People can enjoy a glass of wine together with friends or come alone and be equally comfortable.

“I wanted to offer a special place for people to gather in a truly welcoming environment,” explains Williams. “I am a relationship-driven person, and I wanted to have a relationship-driven wine company. We offer 25 wines by the glass, as well as bottles, and people can enjoy spending time with us, having a conversation and relaxing.”

“Our Wine Bar will be a special place for holiday cocktail parties,” he adds. “It will be very festive, and people will enjoy being here.”

Great Pleasure
Williams is very encouraged with the customers’ enthusiastic response in the five months since he opened the business. “We have customers from Princeton, Pennington, Lawrenceville, Hopewell, and beyond, including many regulars. We have new people all the time, as well as friends from The Nassau Club,” he says. “I couldn’t be happier. I like to mingle and interact with people. I enjoy meeting new friends, and also seeing old friends from Princeton. This is a great pleasure for me. And I want people to know that we are the only wine shop locally owned and operated in the area.”

Wine prices range from $6 to much higher. Typical choices are $18 to $25. Sales are held regularly, and special discounts are offered to civil service workers and veterans.

Gift baskets are also available, as is delivery in the area, including to Princeton.

For further information, including reserving space for events, call (609) 791-2387. Website: princetonwinecompany.com.