Airport Wine Bars

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

19 May 2006 04:50 PM

How many times have you heard fellow travelers whine at the airport? Well, if you are flying in or out of California there will soon be a new way you can escape from one whine to another... the kind that goes down smooth and doesn't leave a nasty after-taste.

Visitors to the Sacramento International Airport will soon have the option of sipping fine wines as they wait for departing flights. A design team was just given approval to create a wine bar in Terminal A. The bar will be stocked with local and international wines and not only will you be able to grab a glass while you are waiting for your flight, you have the option of purchasing a bottle on the way out. If you have a lot of time between flights, you can participate in one of the wine bar's tasting events.

A similar wine bar opened last September at Washington Dulles International Airport. Sacramento's airport wine bar is set to open this fall and will be among the first of its kind on the West Coast. Some travelers say it only makes sense that the California airport, which serves three wine regions, would be chosen for the store where travelers will be able to purchase wine by the glass, bottle or case.

The introduction of the wine bar in terminals is another example how airports are creating a mall-like environment for travelers. (Read more in my blog: "Shopping At The Airport... More Than I Bargained For.") When I was growing up it was a treat just to get a pack of gum from the one and only newsstand at our regional airport. Now you can travel to just about any airport and buy an entire gumball machine. I have yet to see the movie "The Terminal" starring Tom Hanks, but I heard him make a joke about it during his recent stint on "Saturday Night Live." I have the feeling that once I watch it I will see further proof that airports plus wine bars, plus bubble gum machines, plus gourmet restaurants equals big profits.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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