November 2010
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www.fdlreporter.com
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Upcoming Events in Downtown Fond du Lac
Dreams Come True at As You Wish
Home for the Holidays
Options are endless
at Cujak’s Wine Market and Bar
Top: Sara Cujak, owner of Cujak’s Wine Market and Bar, 47 N. Main St., Fond du Lac, taps a self-serve keg of balsamic vinegar in the store. Along with wines, Cujak’s sells extra virgin olive oils and vinegars from all over the world, wine accessories and customized baskets that can be filled and presented for any occasion. The Reporter photos by Patrick Flood
Dorothy Bliskey Special to The Reporter
and wine sampling in a variety of ways.
palates and promote wine education.
Although her prior career was in teaching out-of-state, Cujak sensed something different in her future. A career switch sent her sailing into wine country — literally, when she decided to open a wine-related business.
The ability to teach remains with her, but now it’s in the form of wine education. She educates customers oneon-one in casual conversations as well as in classes she teaches at her shop once a month.
Two years later, she moved the business a couple of blocks north to expand her offerings. Her newest location at 47 N. Main St. has become a good fit for her dream business — Cujak’s Wine Market and Bar.
Wine education
Stocked with a number of hand-selected wines ranging from $5 to $100 a bottle, the market also sells extra virgin olive oils and vinegars from all over the world, wine accessories and customized gift baskets that can be filled and presented for any occasion.
“I grew up with wine. My father taught me how to make it. I also worked in fine dining where we had to take classes and know how to pair wine with food. I used to attend a lot of wine-tasting events and, ultimately, I’ve become the wine expert among my friends.”
Her knowledge of wine is also spread through her Wine of the Month Club, which has more than 60 members, and at private wine tastings she orchestrates at area events and in private homes. The private tastings have become quite popular and require a two-week notice.
The new location also created the right space for adding a wine bar — one that could be utilized to create camaraderie
Cujak’s goals for her business are to offer great wine without the huge price tag, provide a great selection for all
When Sara Cujak opened her Wine Market and Bar in downtown Fond du Lac in 2006, she envisioned a multitude of activities and shop selections centering on wine.
“This is what I got excited about. You don’t start a business unless you are excited about it,” she said. “I had other ideas, but none got me excited.
Normal business hours at Cujak’s Wine Market and Bar are Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although normally closed on Sundays and Mondays, Cujak’s will be open on certain Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the holidays — Nov. 22, Dec 13 and Dec 20. For more information, visit www.cujakswinemarket.com, or call (920) 922-2499. You can request an e-mailed newsletter for updates.
“They can select the wines or I can choose for them, depending on their palate and price range,” Cujak said. Members in the Wine of the Month Club taste and learn about wines and receive benefits such as discounts and gifts. “Once a year, I do a blind tasting for members,” Cujak said. “They really enjoy doing it, and they vote on their favorite wine for the following month.”
Wine Bar The Wine Bar is open any time Cujak’s is open for business. An attractive glasstopped bar with wine corks embedded beneath the glass graces the front of the shop. It’s the perfect spot to take a break with friends and try some wine. Customers at the Wine Bar can purchase a glass of wine, a flight of
wines or sample the “wine of the moment.” A bottle of wine can be purchased and sipped at the bar, with a small corkage fee added. A cheese platter is also available for purchase with the wines. Dining is a possibility at Cujak’s Wine Market and Bar, even though food isn’t prepared there. “We invite customers to enjoy wine in our establishment along with a meal they have purchased at a nearby business we partner with such as Fond du Lac Seafood and Joe’s Fox Hut,” Cujak said. “We can get pretty busy with that, so be sure to call us for reservations. We can seat about 15 people.” With the holidays fast approaching, a few highlights include holiday specials starting Nov. 22 and free wine tastings on Saturdays, Dec. 4 through 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Extended hours for the holiday season will find Cujak’s open Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We are open for last-minute wine needs for your Thanksgiving dinner,” Cujak said. New on the horizon are free wine tastings starting in January every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. The tastings will feature new wines in stock. Customers will get free samples of the two feature wines and a discount when purchasing them.