Wine & Design helps you find your inner artist in a relaxed atmosphere

Northern Virginia’s first Wine & Design studio will soon open in Belle Haven, marking the latest milestone for two young entrepreneurs who’ve already found a receptive audience for their “sip and paint” business.

The Belle Haven Wine & Design, which expects to open sometime in the next month, is located at 1506D Belle View Boulevard in the Belle View Shopping Center. After months of holding classes and events at local restaurants and people’s homes, owners Rachel Bell and Camille Herrera are looking forward to finally having a home for the business.

“We already have a customer base. For these last seven months we’ve built that,” Bell said. “Now we actually have a place to call our own.”

By using social media, word of mouth, and even handing out flyers on nice days, Bell and Herrera have spread the word about Wine & Design. They’ve partnered with El Paso Restaurant on Richmond Highway and John Strongbow’s Tavern in Old Town Alexandria to hold events while the studio has been under construction. They’ve also made inroads with customers through private parties via Wine & Design’s “on wheels” program.

Bell says the concept of painting with friends while enjoying a drink has been well-received.

“We’ve seen a huge boom in private parties,” Bell said. “We travel to [people’s] home, or their community center, church group, or office party.”

Wine & Design has 68 franchises nationwide, with the majority of locations on the East Coast and a few stretching as far away as California and Hawaii. But the Belle Haven location will be the first in Northern Virginia.

Bell and Herrera hope to expand to other locations in the area if the Belle Haven studio is successful, and feel confident about their future.

“I think that this is a business that’s new and exiting,” Bell said. “It’s a fun way to go out with your friends. You’re still maybe going to a restaurant, but there’s another activity on top of that.”

How it works

You have a lot of options with Wine & Design. You can sign up for a class at the studio, or have a private party there. You can also have them come to your home, business, church, etc. for a private party. Or you can meet them at a local restaurant for one of their “on wheels” sessions.

Classes are held in the studio every day except Monday. You purchase a spot through the studio’s website, which includes two glasses of wine or one beer.

Unlike Wine & Designs in other states, you cannot bring your own bottle of wine to the studio in Virginia. The Belle Haven location has a menu featuring a variety of wine offerings as well as craft beers.  Because of the restrictions of their ABC license, the studio cannot sell alcohol in addition to what comes with the class. Food isn’t offered, but attendees are welcome to bring snacks.

The studio can also be rented out for bachelorette parties, baby showers, birthday parties and more. If you want to hold a private party elsewhere, Wine & Design will bring the supplies (including furniture and floor coverings) to you.

Adults aren’t the only folks who can take classes. Through their Art Buzz Kids program, children can attend classes, hold birthday parties or sign up for summer camps. There’s two five-day camps at the Belle Haven location in August, and spots are still available.

Making the most of an opportunity

A year ago Bell and Herrera didn’t know each other. But the two twentysomethings were both disenchanted with their careers and looking for something new.

Bell was a culinary arts specialist new to the D.C. area, having trouble finding work and ready for a new career. Herrera was a civil engineer commuting to Pennsylvania for work while living in the D.C. area.

“Eventually I got tired of that,” Herrera said.

Thanks to a friend of their husbands, who work together, they found out that Wine & Design was looking to expand into the area. Both jumped on the opportunity when it was offered and formed a partnership.

Since signing a lease for the studio in March, Bell and Herrera say curious passersby have stopped by during construction to learn more about the business. Some have even asked to work as artists. The interest from area residents coupled with the success of their “on wheels” events and private parties have given the duo a bullish outlook on Wine & Design’s future.

“Whenever we’re in the studio, we have people stop by the door,” Herrera said. ” I think once we have our grand opening … it’ll really take off.”