Imagine a space where you can taste and learn about world-class wines, tuck into a delicious meal, and purchase your newly discovered bottles to take home—all in one place. Welcome to Compline Wine Bar, Restaurant and Merchant, which will celebrate its grand opening—and ambitious concept—on September 10 at 1300 First Street #312 in the hot Downtown Napa neighborhood. Latin for the “completion of the working day,” Compline is poised to be Napa’s premiere wine gathering spot for tourists, locals, and wine professionals alike.
“We wanted to create someplace we wanted to go—a laid-back place to drink cool wines,” says co-owner and former Charlie Trotter wine director Ryan Stetins, who hatched the idea for Compline three years ago with co-owner and fellow Napa resident, Master Sommelier Matt Stamp, formerly of the French Laundry. “As we refined the concept, Compline evolved into what it is today: A restaurant and wine bar, bottle shop, and center for wine education. But the part about drinking kick ass-wines in a beautiful space? That’s never changed.”
Stamp and Stetins have a distinct vision for Compline: Unfussy and convivial, with a smart crowd and plenty of flowing wine that celebrates Napa Valley and beyond. “Our wine bar list has plenty of local finds, as well as a generous collection of other domestic and international bottles,” says Stamp. The comprehensive selection extends to Compline’s retail shelves, where most bottles are priced between $15-$30, and can be enjoyed in the wine bar for a small corkage fee. “Our retail is really designed for both locals and visitors hunting for new finds, new grapes, and new experiences beyond our little corner of the world,” says Stamp.
Chef Yancy Windsperger has designed a mouthwatering menu rooted in Napa’s strengths—shareable food that is seasonal and locally sourced. “This is real food prepared simply,” says Windsperger, an alum of Spago, Morimoto, and The Bazaar by Jose Andres. “And while our focus is on supporting local farmers and businesses, we are embracing flavors from around the world.” Adds Stetins: “Think of a dinner party in Napa. Friends, scattered bottles, and celebratory food in the cool night air. That’s the spirit we want to bring to our restaurant.” The restaurant seats 90 and is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Wine education is also a key component of Compline, where, beginning in October, there will be lively daily wine classes led by Stamp himself, designed for everyone from beginners to seasoned pros. Classes include “Jumpstart,” an hour-long session designed to kick off your stay in wine country with an introduction to wine and a chance to blind-taste like the pros, and “World Tour,” where attendees learn about (and taste!) distinctive wines across the globe.
*Classes start the first week of October. “Jumpstart” – every Wednesday-Sunday at 10am. “Gateway: Napa Valley” – every Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. “World Tour” – every other Monday night at 6pm.
Located within the heart of Downtown Napa’s First Street Napa project—a 325,000-square-foot mixed-use development that will incorporate 45 retail shops and restaurants, new creative office space, and a 183-room Archer Hotel opening this fall—Compline is in very good company. Veteran architect Sasha Janev of SMJ Architecture designed an airy 3,000 square foot indoor space with a concrete wine bar, an indoor-outdoor lounge with cozy sofas and custom-made banquettes, and a 26-seat patio perfect for relaxing, glass of vino in hand. Designer Melissa Schmitt, owner of Poor House Napa outfitted the entire space, and Andrew Stamp of Lincoln, Nebraska’s EleMETAL Fabrication created special finishing touches, including an indoor hanging trellis and a custom glass storage unit atop the bar.
