It’s always momentous, at least for an oenophile like me, when a new wine shop or bar opens. Far Away Wine and Provisions in East Phoenix is the brainchild of Pat Jasmin and Chris French, part of the food-and-bev fabric of Arizona for years. Jasmin has done a little of everything, from writing wine lists to owning a restaurant to wine distribution, which is how she met French, a history and music buff who sold wine to restaurants.
“We have seen the rise and fall of independent wine bars and retail in Phoenix, and really feel like we are on another rise,” Jasmin says. “This city is too big and too diverse not to have more options that are not corporate and homogenized.”
I couldn’t help asking about the shop’s name. “The name Far Away references a Rolling Stones song [“Far Away Eyes”]… Our mutual love of all things rock ’n’ roll is another theme to the business,” French says. “We’ll have a fun collection of vinyl and artwork… and wines from all over the world. There is no one specific region that will be a focus, rather the focus will be on the independent spirit of the winemaking business… as close as Elgin or as far away as New Zealand.”
The Elgin inclusion (my own winery is there) was music to my ears, so I prodded them about Arizona wine: “[It] has been exciting to see the growth, the teamwork between wineries and the national recognition for our little start-up wine region,” French says. A welcome addition to Arcadia Lite!
Far Away Wine and Provisions
3031 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-314-6612, farawaywineaz.com
