Old Town Wine Tasting Room Raising Funds to Complete Upgrades to King Street Location

Rick and Elizabeth Myllenbeck have launched an online campaign to raise $80,000 to finish upgrades and renovations to their wine tasting room, Sonoma Cellar, on King Street.

Sonoma Cellar hopes to soft-open July 13 with a grand opening July 20, Northern Virginia magazine reports.

The two launched the effort Wednesday on Indiegogo:

“Sonoma Cellar wants to share California and Virginia wines with you in metro D.C. We need your help to finish the compliance remodels and upgrades of our tasting room’s historic King Street location. Share the love of wine!” they said on the Web site.”

“As you can imagine, this amazing, historic, beautiful building is a gem — yet it is in serious disrepair after years of neglect, and has given us a number of unexpected, nearly show-stopping challenges. We are committed to bringing remarkable Bartleman House into the 21st century and beyond. Regretfully, this is a very expensive venture and one that was not foreseen before we signed the lease and connected with the City. Bringing the building into compliance has taxed our resources to the limit. This has become a historical love affair with a location so ideal, so cool, that we cannot back down now.”

Wine perks come to those who uncork big donations at eight different levels, from $50 to $10,000:

Zinfandel level ($10,000): Wine and Food pairing dinner for eight (8) at Sonoma Cellar with the owners or wine maker. A wine tasting class for two (2) at Sonoma Cellar. OR a one year all paid membership of the Admiral’s Level Wine Club. In addition, a weekend of tasting wine either in Sonoma County or Virginia. You will travel to 6 wineries - 3 each day. You will receive a wine travel case to store your 12 bottles of wine during your journey. SoCel will pay for the wine, travel case and arrange the winery visits.

Pinot Gris ($50): Wine tasting from Reserve menu for two.