Q&A: Brix Wine owner weighs in on Detroit and statewide industry

Context: Brix, which opened last year in Rivertown, is in the process of expanding with an outdoor patio. Other wine spots that opened in the last couple of years or are incoming include Red Hook's Wine Side along the Dennis Archer Greenway, Vesper Books and Wine and Ladder 4 Wine Bar.

• They join longtime bars including the Royce, MotorCity Wine and House of Pure Vin.

Glynn's interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Axios: To start, could you talk about where you see your niche and what you aim to provide at Brix?

Glynn: This location started off as a retail wine shop and the goal was to open as a wine bar within two years, but I was able to do it within eight months. So we are a full bar, we have small-plate options, we do private events, wine education classes, DJ series, different things to engage the community.

• Now I'm moving more towards focusing on sustainability. I think that's really important. I'm growing more conscious of what I sell to a consumer.

How would you describe the wine scene in Detroit?

I think it's growing. It's come a long way. This is my second location. My first location, it was in a good place, but I think now [the scene is] growing.

• You have more millennials that are really, really interested in wine. Actually, they are the majority when it comes to purchasing wine, so I think it's really interesting. People are very curious, willing to learn about new varietals, taking chances.

What do you think that growth will look like — what would you like to see in the future?

Education. I think that's really important. I think an educated consumer is the best consumer. They come in and they make the right purchases that fit their lifestyle, which in turn is good for the retailer, because that means you will get a return customer.

• A lot of times, folks will go into a wine shop and there's 50,000 labels and you're confused and you don't know what to grab.

When you say education, do you mean people learning about their palate, about different brands?

It's a combination of the two, along with the practices that the producers use in their facilities. So brands, varietals, understanding what each one does, what it means, not necessarily to the point where you have to be super technical with it, but just know enough so that you make the right decision for you.

What do you think about when you're curating your wine selection?

When I first opened, I assembled a focus group of 20 individuals, where we had maybe four or five who didn't even drink wine, just so I can understand everybody's palate.

• And that's really how we created the wine list. I wanted to see what consumers were really gravitating towards, moscato being one of the No. 1 selections, and then rosé.

What are your thoughts about Michigan wine?

I do carry some Michigan brands. I carry Left Foot Charley. Black Star Farms was just [at Brix] for a Michigan wine takeover a few weeks ago.

• I think the industry in Michigan is growing. There are not enough eyeballs on us. We have to find ways to make sure we are seen so people will take us seriously around the world. We make some of the best rieslings.
• I would love to just have a section inside Brix dedicated to Michigan. I believe the winemakers are just as serious as everyone else. I think some of them have to invest in better equipment, I hate to say that, or figure out what needs to be done so they can be taken more seriously.

What should people be drinking this summer?

We definitely want to recommend some rosés, still and sparkling. If you really are into a dry rosé, I'd love to suggest a rosé from Provence. Those are always great in hot weather. Pinot gris is always good. A good red, pinot noir, because it's a lighter-bodied wine. And Champagne is good anytime.