Nothing is more exciting than seeing a friend chase their dream – to launch that dream in their own best way – and to see Melissa Leighty launch Salut Wine Studio in the el Born district of Barcelona is that flavour of unbridled excitement.
What is Salut Wine Studio? Salut is a unique concept here in Barcelona. It’s neither a bar, nor a wine shop. It’s essentially a tasting room where they hold wine tastings, wine courses, and corporate wine events. Salut Wine Studio are first and foremost an educational space, with the goal of teaching locals and visitors alike about Catalan and Spanish wines and wine regions. Salut Wine Studio also sells all the wines featured in their tastings and courses.
“Part of being a wine studio means we also get to do cool collaborations with local businesses and entrepreneurs such as artists who get to share their craft accompanied by some wonderful local wines,” says Melissa.
And for her, the importance of taking care of the environment is paramount. For that reason, their philosophy is to provide only organic, ecological, or biodynamic wines which are produced under sustainable conditions. They strive to be responsible consumers in every way.
How excited is Melissa about launching?
“After years of dreaming about having my own space, having Salut become a reality is just so exciting. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the fabric of the food and wine experience in Barcelona, able to offer something truly unique in the city. I’m also proud of the cozy space I can now call home, which feels a lot like an extension of my own living room. I hope people leave feeling like they’ve had the opportunity to really dive into wine, in a way they can’t in a bar or a restaurant. I want to give them the skills to find a wine they really love on a menu or in a shop, and I always love sharing my secret tips for what to do, see, and taste while they’re here,” states Melissa.
What was her inspiration for starting the studio and getting involved in wine? Melissa was a middle school and high educator for 13 years before she made the transition into the wine world. For Melissa, the transition felt very natural to apply her skills as a teacher in wine. Her first step was as a wine writer, but she wanted a more tangible way to share the beauty of the local wines that she was discovering with visitors to the city.
Salut Wine Studio offers the perfect place to do that. Salut Wine Studio will be able to share a very special part of the local foodie experience with both visitors and expats alike.
What are the hours for Salut Wine Studio? At the moment, they are open by appointment only. Soon they plan to open a few days a week for people to drop in and enjoy wine or vermouth flights. While these aren’t formal tastings, they still offer the opportunity to learn about new local wines in a unique atmosphere. Check out their Facebook page as Salut Wine Studio will also offer regular afterworks, plus special wine and cheese events where you can purchase entry at the door. They also advertise these events in the special events section of the website as well as on social media.
After knowing Melissa for five years, and enjoying her expertise and passion for local wines, I’m excited to see the next steps in her ongoing wine journey. Be sure to check out Salut Wine Studio when you’re in her neighbourhood.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salutwinestudio/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/salutwinestudio
Email: hola@salutwinestudio.com
Phone: (+34) 931 263 277