The Michigan Beer and Wine Portal begins site work in Monroe Leave a comment
After years of planning, Drew Bentley is finally seeing his dream fulfilled.
Site work recently began on The Michigan Beer and Wine Portal, an indoor and outdoor complex that is proposed to offer a sommelier-run wine bar, chef-prepared food, a gift shop, an ice cream shop, riverfront seating and more.
Bentley, 25, plans to open The Portal this summer at the River Raisin Banquet Center, next to the downtown Monroe Subway restaurant.
“We are on track to open the outdoor riverfront space this summer,” Bentley said. “Work on the outdoor beautification and riverfront seating area (has started). The only thing that we are waiting on is the processing and state approval for our liquor license. The indoor area we hope to open by late fall, but as with all old buildings, the timing of that is subject to a lot of variables.”
The Bentley family has owned the River Raisin Banquet Center since November. Formerly the Masonic Temple, it was constructed in 1931. Once The Portal opens, the banquet center portion of the building will still be available to rent.
The banquet center will operate on the upper level. The Portal will be below, on the river level. A rear entrance off the parking lot offers a handicap-accessible elevator.
“We purchased (the building) with the purpose of opening The Portal,” Bentley said. “The banquet center is an added bonus. We are currently booking events all the way into 2023 and are planning on keeping that an integral part of the entire building.”
Helping Bentley with The Michigan and Wine Portal concept are his parents, Scott and Maryne Bentley. Scott is the superintendent of the River Raisin National Battlefield Park.
Drew Bentley grew up all over the country, since his father worked for the National Park Service.
He said he most enjoyed “those special places and experiences that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.”
While on a wine tour around Michigan with his father, Bentley fell in love with wine and now wants to educate others about Michigan’s wines.
The family came up with the concept for The Portal about three years ago.
“Once the idea started to form, I started taking sommelier classes and the idea evolved from there,” Bentley said. “I have finished the level one class through the International Sommelier’s Guild, and I am currently taking the level two class. There are three levels in the guild.”
The Michigan Beer and Wine Portal will offer a rotating selection of wines and craft beers. Foods will be selected to pair with the spirits and will include vegan, gluten-free and other dietary options. Bentley is in the process of looking for a chef.
“We will also have charcuterie and other small-plate style foods,” he said. “We are exploring other food options and welcome input on our Facebook site about what foods the Monroe community would like best with their Michigan wine and beer. When we open the outdoor area this summer, we may not be able to have as large of a food selection. But we are going to at least have charcuterie board and small items like that.”
Also planned for The Portal are The River Raisin Trading Post, which will sell bottled wines from around the world, Great Lakes gifts and treats and works by local artists; The Michigan Ice Cream Shop, and The Michigan Pop Portal, which will sell Michigan-made soda by the glass or in a tasting flight.
“We will specialize in Michigan-made products, Michigan-made wine, craft beer, ice cream, soda and other things,” Bentley said.
The interior of The Portal will offer a glimpse into Monroe’s wine history, Prohibition days and trading history.
“Southeast Michigan is the origin of Michigan’s wine industry,” Bentley explained. “History exhibits will feature Monroe primarily, but also all five of Michigan’s American Viticultural (grape-growing) Areas. We also plan on having small classes that people can come to and hear the amazing story of the founding of Michigan’s cornerstone.”
The Portal will continue outdoors.
Patio seating will be available on the River Raisin, and a garden will be planted along the riverbank.
“We will have small vineyard areas on both the east and west sides of the outdoor areas, and all of the outer landscape barrier is going to be grape trellis,” Bentley said. “In the center of the outdoor area we are going to be growing hops and utilizing them as a shade feature. We won’t be using them to make wine or beer, just to create the atmosphere of a wine/ beer garden and to be able to use them as educational pieces.”
Bentley hopes The Michigan Beer and Wine Portal can eventually host classes and live music-themed events, perhaps ice wine festivals, craft beer festivals, ice cream festivals and more.
The Portal is expected to be open seven days a week, until 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
A website has been started to spread the word about The Portal and to keep residents updated on the project.
“This is a dream come true for me, and I love seeing everyone’s excitement around the project,” Bentley said. “It will once again make the River Raisin the centerpiece of Monroe.”
To learn more, visit www.michiganwineandbeerportal.com or “The Michigan Beer and Wine Portal” on Facebook.
