Joni spends a lot of time tasting wines and combing through price lists to find the best wines for her customers.  She takes pride in tasting all her selections, “Each wine that we carry is from a small vineyard and represents the artisanal side of wine, sunshine, earth, rain, grapes and good, hard contentious work by the winemakers – in the bottle is a story, not a corporate goal to meet.”
Beer aficionados will be happy to know that Joni’s husband, Rich is  charge of the beer selections. His German heritage and love for beer earned him the right to be her ‘beer guy.’
Rich and a friend are responsible for creating riddling racks based on racks in Champagne, France on the shop walls. Located next door to Wildflour Bakery and in conjunction with a coffee and antique shop at Nostalgia Courtyard, you can sniff bread baking and enjoy the scent of fresh coffee all in the same parking lot! Joni’s mother, Joan designed the grape vine wall, and friends helped put the store together.
Nine-year old son Wylie walks across the street from Saluda School to help at the shop — dusting and rearranging of bottles, while George the rescue dog supervises the action,  and greets customers, hoping for a cuddle and friendly lap to share.
“Life is good, like an unopened bottle of wine – I feel full,” Joni smiles, as she raises her glass to life.
Want to visit? Joni Artisanal Wine & Beer is located at 171 East Main Street, Saluda, NC. The Wine Cellar at Saluda Inn is located at 229 Greenville Street. (saludainn.com) Phone: 828-749-9698; email joni@carolinawineexpert.com.