Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte to Open Hidden Wine Boutique

Ritz-Carlton guests will be able to take Hidden Wine purchases to their guest rooms, to another destination, or to the hotel Lobby Lounge, where the wine can be professionally served either at no extra charge, or for a modest $15 corkage fee, based on the cost of the bottle purchased. Lobby Lounge service of wines purchased at Hidden Wine is also available to local residents.

This new approach to the hotel beverage experience is designed to deliver enhanced value to hotel visitors, and to respond to user concerns about wine pricing at some hospitality establishments. “We have seen a community trend moving away from wine consumption in lounges and restaurants, in cases where guests do not see value in paying for elevated mark-up,” said David Rothwell, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. “We have heard first-hand the desire of millennials and other generations for more options in how they spend their money, and Hidden Wine has been created specifically to address this.”

Hidden Wine will offer a large selection of European and American wines, as well as sparkling wines and Champagnes. A further offering will focus on organic, biodynamic and small batch labels, while a select retail offering will also present wines available only at this boutique prior to broader release in the Charlotte market. Labels planned for the shop include Klein Constantia's elegant 2013 Estate Red Blend from South Africa, and Left Coast Cellars' Cali's Cuvée Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, among several dozen other prized names. None of the wines sold by Hidden Wine will be available for purchase at other dining outlets at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte.

As an added service, and especially for those purchasers wishing to dine outside the hotel, Hidden Wine will provide an in-store listing of local restaurants that permit guests to bring in their own wine. The list will include related corkage fees associated with each dining establishment. For BLT Steak, which is located on the hotel's lobby level, a $35 corkage fee applies for the service of “carry in” wines.

In keeping with the commitment to the environment of the LEED® Gold-certified Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, the boutique has been mindfully designed in close collaboration with the sustainability-focused Encore Architectural Salvage of Charleston South Carolina. All floors, shelves and walls are fitted with reclaimed woods and recycled cast iron materials.

Hidden Wine will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Opening is anticipated for late July, 2016.

For further information on the LEED® Gold-certified Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, go to or call +1-704-547-2244. To engage with the property directly, visit https://www.facebook.com/ritzcarltoncharlotte. For room reservations, please visit the hotel website, call 1-800-241-3333, or contact a travel professional. The AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is located at 201 East Trade Street, at the corner of Trade and College Streets, in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Visit website: www.ritzcarlton.com/charlotte