Profile: Wines by Jennifer
Tucked into a darling home in Parkville awaits one of the best wine selections in KC.
All photos by Gabby Gallegos
On Main Street in historic downtown Parkville, an absolute gem is tucked away, a little winery called Wines By Jennifer. I had the opportunity to sit down with Daniel, the owner Jennifer’s son to chat more about all things Wines by Jennifer!
What was the inspiration behind the winery?
Years and years ago, Jennifer would often travel to wine country in California for work. When she would come back to Kansas City, she craved that Napa Valley feeling but didn’t find it locally. The original idea was to start a bed and breakfast, but over a few glasses of wine it turned into a dream of a winery with international wines sourced worldwide. And as of 2003, that dream became a reality.
Was there any specific reason you guys chose Parkville as the location?
No, it just happened that way. But we think it’s the perfect tucked away spot in Kansas City for a wine shop. Historic Main Street brings an authentic type of feel. In terms of foot traffic, it always brings us new and interested clients who just walk by and find us that way!
Is Wines by Jennifer a family business?
Yes, very much so! Jennifer and Don Stanton are the amazing owners, and I work here full time as well, being her son. And then we have our sommelier Steve, who is just so knowledgeable about all things wine related. We also have additional help from Kelsey and Emily– everyone here really feels like one big family.
What kind of wines can someone expect to find at Wines by Jennifer?
Wines from all over the world, and then some! You can expect to find wines that are super unique and exclusive, as Jennifer travels herself and handpicks the wines you get. But we don’t just do wine, either– we also carry Spirits, beer and small food plates.
What other exciting things does Wines by Jennifer have going on?
We offer lots of services including private parties, daily wine tastings, beer and spirit tastings, birthday parties, bridal showers, our outdoor wine garden and we have a monthly wine club. We also periodically highlight art pieces from local artisans in the shop, the majority of which are for sale. Currently we have some amazing hand-woven baskets on display.
How was the shop affected by Covid?
Like any small family-owned business, Covid was a scary time. We were quick to switch to curbside service when needed, but luckily our shop was already pretty spread out with the separate tasting rooms. So social distancing between groups isn’t an issue at all, and all our amazing staff continues to sanitize and wear masks to keep our customers safe! We also have our outdoor wine garden, which is perfect for people wanting that extra piece of mind of not being in an indoor space during Covid.
Where can we find you guys on social media?
We’re currently on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, @winesbyjennifer. And you can find the most updated information and calendar of events at winesbyjennifer.com
Sitting down and chatting about Wines by Jennifer was such a pleasure. The winery feels like one of Kansas City’s best kept secrets, and I’m so excited for you guys to go check it out soon! If you’re lucky, you might catch Daniel playing the piano in the upstairs wine room, while customers chat and sip away.
