Courtesy of Cooper's Hawk
Metro Atlanta certainly has its share of breweries, from SweetWater to Reformation, but wine-tasting venues are mostly confined to North Georgia. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, a company with 66 other locations around the country, is looking to change that, bringing its signature tasting and dining rooms to Alpharetta. Located near North Point Mall, the 300-plus-seat space is now open with a Napa-style tasting room, all-ages dining room, full bar, and retail area.
“We’re always looking to expand to places that share our love of food and wine. A lot of cities we’re in, there’s no other place to wine taste. We are bringing that experience from Napa to this area. We’re excited to share it with this community,” general manager Brett Monus says.
Master sommelier Emily Wines oversees all Cooper’s Hawk locations, compiling a list of 55 branded options ranging from accessible to complex. The wine is produced in Illinois with grapes primarily sourced from California. The tasting room offers three categories: Sweet, Variety, and Luxe, each featuring eight 1.25-ounce pours. All wines are also available in the restaurant and can be sampled complimentary.
Courtesy of Cooper's Hawk
One of Cooper’s Hawk’s key attractions is its 750,000-member wine club, which offers limited-production Wines of the Month, curated travel experiences, and private events. There’s also a Wine O’Clock Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. that features exclusive wines, sangrias, and small plates. For those who prefer other alternatives to wine, there’s a full bar menu with martinis, spritzes, mules, and more.
“We create community by bringing people together through food and wine,” Monus says.
Courtesy of Cooper's Hawk
Led by executive chef Matt McMillin, all Cooper’s Hawk restaurants offer the same menu with standouts like Parmesan-crusted chicken, short rib risotto, and blue cheese–topped steak medallions. There are also burgers, salads, seafood dishes, and vegetarian and gluten-free options. On weekends, the Brunch & Bubbles menu includes the regular offerings, plus smoked brisket hash, breakfast gnocchi, avocado toast with jammy eggs, and salted-caramel donuts.
Though the menu is consistent across locations, the design is designed for the space. In Alpharetta, it features an open-air, wraparound patio and a mural by Atlanta native Nick Turbo Benson showcasing people dining by a vineyard at sunset. Expect “wine-inspired décor,” Monus says, with warm lighting and many textures. “You’ll be able to recognize you’re in a Cooper’s Hawk,” he adds.
A small market displays plates, glassware, wine accessories, cheese boards, wine stoppers, aerators, and of course, Cooper’s Hawk wine, all for sale.
The first Cooper’s Hawk was established in Orland Park, Illinois, in 2005 by founder Tim McEnery. Since then, the company has expanded to Arizona, Ohio, Florida, and more.
Courtesy of Cooper's Hawk
