Those familiar with Hindu mythology might recognize the name Soma, god of wine, which symbolizes the city’s new winery, sitting on the corner of South Main Street.
Soma Winery has been a two-year passion project, with a hiatus taken during the pandemic before a soft opening in April. Although it has its own meaning, Soma multitasks as an abbreviation for South Main.
It started with two brothers, Brian and Amit Vink, wanting to score a new investment that could facilitate their interests. This isn’t Brian’s first Fort Worth winery, having previous ties to Cowtown Winery in the Stockyards, among others.
“It’s not made to be a special-occasion place but an everyday place,” Brian Vink says. “We wanted it to be a cool, chilled, and sophisticated place where we want people to come in as many times as they want.”
Soma Winery offers a sophisticated place with a relaxed atmosphere. They serve some product from local wineries as well as merge different styles of wines. It’s their hope that they will appeal to both the wine snob as well as the more casual drinker.
The wine industry wasn’t always the set goal for Brian. He had finished his degree in psychology and was one year into law school when he realized it wasn’t for him. Brian and Amit grew up in California with wine-infused parents. Brian started researching the topic and soon enough was doing wine education online.
“Honestly, the amount of variety and learning you get in the business, there’s never an end to it,” Vink says. “There's no set course, no beginning or end. There's always new information coming in. It's ever-evolving. It's dynamic and on the go … you get paid to drink. What's not to like?”
Though Soma Winery is the new kid on the block, they’re striving to meet their goals with their eyes set on making wine on-site before the end of the year. Brian, who has a wine education and background, wishes to sell Soma’s wine soon. For now, it’s simply a pleasing tasting room.
The space basks in natural light, highlighting the industrial look and bright area. The Altered Dimension Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling are favorites of the owners among the barracks of bottles.
“Normally, wineries are a bit more formal, and non-wine drinkers are intimidated,” says Nanaki Vink, who is Brian’s wife and handles the wineries public relations. “This concept makes it a chill place where people can try different wines. You don't need to be someone who knows wine. It's more informal, but a space where people can come and relax.”
201 S Main St
Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
