Despite so many years working in restaurants, some with wine programs, wine knowledge has alluded me. Like so many others, I make my purchases on a whim, based on labels and cheap pricing. So when I found out a natural wine shop was opening in Baldwin Park, it was out of my wheelhouse and immediately intimidating. Still, I wanted to see what I was potentially missing out on enjoying. Thankfully I was put at ease instantly by Heather LaVine, the owner of Golden Hour Wine, and I learned more in an hour with her than any wine sommelier I’d ever encountered.

THE BACKSTORY

A new transplant to Orlando byways of Troy, New York, Heather has an impressive background in the hospitality business. She founded and was part owner of Clark House Hospitality with multiple concepts that started with a wine bar in 2012.

Heather made a significant change back at the end of 2019 when she announced she was leaving Clark House, something she built and didn’t always get proper credit for, to start again and create something of her own.

Her move to Florida happened in March of 2020, right as COVID hit.

HL: “It was strange not being able to meet anyone, especially coming from my hospitality background, that is our life, so not doing that in any capacity was tough. Other than that, I love being down here so much. I’ve even enjoyed the summer I’ve spent here.
When I decided to leave the former businesses and do something else, I knew my heart wanted to be in the sun, but I considered many cities. D.C., Austin, Philly, Denver, but in addition to my family being here, I felt like there was a lot of excitement surrounding Orlando. All of those other cities had already been discovered in this way where they were the places everyone wants to rush to. But I think Orlando has so much going for it that people who don't live here don’t realize. That’s exciting to me to be part of that community as we work to grow the city and appeal to more people.”

THE PRODUCT

The wine bar was the first concept to launch Clark House Hospitality in 2012, so it seems natural Heather’s solo venture would begin here in something she has almost ten years of experience in, which led to the opening of Golden Hour Wine.

For many, natural wine seems like a trendy subset of wine that has gotten popular over the past few years as wine drinking among the younger generation has seen a considerable uptick. However, Heather deftly explains why it’s not a trend and the real reason why you should care about what is in your wine.

HL: “Natural wine is just how wine was made before herbicides and pesticides came after World War II. It does have different meanings to different people, but for Golden Hour, it means responsibly farmed, and in our shop, that means organically or bio-dynamically.
Beyond that, once you get into the cellar, nothing is added in the wine-making. Grapes, possibly SO2 at bottling, which stabilizes the wine, but other than that, nothing. People buy packaged food and look at the label and view all the ingredients, but with conventional wine or wine in general you can have up to 75 things that were added and it doesn’t have to be on the label. Artificial colors, flavors, textures, tannins, something that might make the wine thicker or thinner, and sugar and you would have no idea.”

THE PROCESS

When you walk into Golden Hour, you are immediately dazzled by the minimal design and warmed by the minty hues that are described as Paris meets Florida. You may be overwhelmed by the rows of wine bottles, but know each one has been intentionally brought into the shop by Heather’s discerning palate, with a few essential factors leading the way.

HL: “The process in selecting wines ebbs and flows a lot. It has to be farmed organically or biodynamically. I also look for native yeast fermentation. Some add man-made yeast to make the wine taste a certain way, but native yeast is a yeast coming from that place. Beyond that, we focus primarily on Old World wines, so wines from Germany, Spain, France, Italy. That is really where I dig in. I bring in the things that I’m excited about. It’s also important to me to represent women winemakers. A quarter of our shop, if not more, is female winemakers.
There are many things we’ve brought here that have never been in Florida before, and overall the wine scene has so much momentum in Florida.”

THE PRICES

During our conversation, I was candid with my ignorance about wine and how it had been ingrained in me that perfectly acceptable wine shouldn’t cost me more than $9-12; after all that’s what the masses buy it for at Costco. After learning how many foreign chemicals could be in a bottle of wine that I would have no knowledge of, it seemed feasible to want to spend a little more. However, there is something for all budgets at Golden Hour Wine.

HL: “During the buying process, I was very conscious of the price point. We have over 100 wines in the shops that are $25 and under and 50 under $20. You might pay a little more for a well-made bottle of wine, but it will enhance your eating and drinking experience.”

THE EXPERIENCE

The shop is small but does offer limited seating indoor and outdoor to enjoy wine by the glass. Currently, hours are Thursday thru Monday from 2 pm - 8 pm. Still, right now, the main focus is retail and getting good wine into the hands of Orlando residents, which includes monthly bottle subscriptions and delivery to certain areas.

HL: “Come in, taste some wine. We always have something open for you to taste, which changes daily, and then tell us what kind of mood you’re in. It doesn't have to be what you are eating for dinner because, at its core, good wine goes with good food. Yes, there are great pairings out there, but you can enjoy a delicious wine with a non-traditional pairing. You can also purchase a Golden Hour take-home glass, and with that we can do a pour of wine.”

A FEW RECOMMENDATIONS

The one bottle Heather would always have on hand in her house:

Sparkling Riesling - Peter Lauer Saar Riesling Sekt Brut Reserve 2017