New Johnson County wine bar promises ‘customized experience’ and large grazing menu

They met in culinary school more than two decades ago and have since become as close as brothers.

During their years working for others in the restaurant business, they tossed around ideas for their own operation.

Now owner Michael Scherzberg and executive chef Kyle Ketchum plan to launch Vintage ‘78 Wine Bar in downtown Overland Park in January.

“We want people to drink well more often. Better wines in a nicer setting with proper crystal and excellent things to snack on that don’t break the bank,” Scherzberg said.

Customers will be able to get a taste of wine, a half glass or full glass, or a bottle.

“We can create customized experiences,” Scherzberg said. “If you say, ‘Hey, I’m kind of new to wine and I like pinot noir.’ Well, let’s turn it into a class for you and we start pulling bottles.”

It also will have cheese and charcuterie boards, mostly from Smoking Goose in Indianapolis, including soppressata, saucisson, duck prosciutto, rabbit and pork cheek terrine — priced by the ounce.

Also on the menu: marcona almonds; baked brie with honey, apples and crostini; house-made chicken noodle soup; arugula salad; grilled chicken panini; and for dessert there will be brownies or chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk.

Scherzberg and Ketchum met at culinary school in Scottsdale, Arizona, graduating at the top of their class in 1998, Scherzberg said.

Scherzberg worked at top restaurants and hotels in several major cities including Four Seasons Hotels and Meadowood Napa Valley. He also helped open Gram & Dun on the Country Club Plaza.

Ketchum has worked at such restaurants as the Bostonia Public House in Boston. He also had a stint at the American Restaurant.

“We had a solid track record of making other people lots of money,” Scherzberg said.

Vintage ‘78 Wine Bar, 7251 W. 80th St., will have a built-in customer base with 320 residents in the 216 units above them, and more residents and workers within walking distance.

It will seat 36 people. It will have just a handful of employees and the owner plans to offer such perks as college tuition and gym memberships.

Background music will be from the 1970s to the 1990s, along with French hip-hop.

It will be open evenings Thursdays through Mondays, and for lunch Saturdays and Sundays.

Megan Downes will be the general manager. She has worked at Ocean Prime, Gram & Dun, The Brass Onion and La Bodega. She also was the wine director for the former Justus Drugstore.

Scherzberg put ‘78 in the name because that was an excellent year for California, French and Italian wines and also the year he was born.

He plans to open more locations and is considering such areas as Johnson County, Lee’s Summit and Parkville.