Sip & Savor
There is something special about wine that brings people together. A bottle of wine is meant to be shared. With the pour of a glass, a gentle swirl followed by a simple sniff, and then a sip, it can take someone from a casual wine drinker to a wine connoisseur.
That’s what happened to Andy Durnell, owner of Westfield Wine Vault.
“When I was in my 20s, I had a friend who was tutoring in France bring me a Bordeaux. I had no idea what that meant, only that it was wine,” Durnell says. “Sarcastically, I said, ‘Oh great, let’s have some.’ I was definitely not prepared for a life-altering experience. One smell of that Bordeaux and I was taken to a different place. I said, ‘What is that?’ I only knew wine to be simple, fruity and sweet. This was a whole new adventure. It smelled and tasted like ‘something’ — maybe dirt, truffles and dried fruit. I didn’t know, but I was hooked and ended up buying a case of that wine and began my ‘wine for dummies’ journey.”
When Durnell created Westfield Wine Vault, he wanted guests to experience a similar journey — one that inspires curiosity and intrigue around wine.
“We have a culture of curiosity. The more curious a patron is, the more we have for them,” Durnell says. “From our wine club, where you get a different bottle from a different region every month, to our curated wine dinners, to our Wine Vault Academy — we not only educate you about wines from the best regions in the world, but we also show you how to taste them and help you identify what characteristics you do or don’t desire. Our Wine Vault Academy has 101, 201 and 301 classes, so anyone can sign up depending on their comfort level.”
Westfield proved to be the perfect location for the venture. With a flourishing downtown and a strong sense of community, Durnell chose the historic 122-year-old bank building at Union and Main streets to house Westfield Wine Vault. The building reflects both the small-town charm and ongoing growth of the city.
For more than five years, Westfield Wine Vault has evolved into far more than a shop or bar. It has become a unique experience that brings people together while offering something authentic.
“We serve as a welcoming gathering spot in the heart of downtown, focused on wine education and shared discovery,” Durnell says. “We’re more than a shop or bar — we bring people together for flights, classes, curated dinners and events that spark conversation and build friendships. Newcomers feel at ease, regulars become part of the family, and many make us their go-to for date nights, book clubs or unwinding. In a fast-growing city, we help foster a culture of curiosity and respect, making downtown more social and cultured while turning wine into approachable, lasting memories for everyone from beginners to enthusiasts.”
Westfield Wine Vault is dedicated to creating an authentic, thoughtfully curated experience and is constantly innovating, adapting and evolving.
“A lot goes into the integrity of an experience,” Durnell says. “From the moment you’re greeted, to the shiny, clean, properly sized glass, to the wine’s integrity — its temperature, its soundness, making sure it’s free from faults and has the opportunity to be the best wine it can be.”
Curating a wine selection as extensive as Westfield Wine Vault’s requires careful attention. Each wine is individually selected, chosen because Durnell, a staff member or even a guest feels passionate about it. The selection includes “classic” wines from classic regions to help guests understand their palate, as well as crowd pleasers and wines with unique styles. Each month, the Wine Vault features 10 to 15 wines from a new region.
“I’ve realized most winemakers, like artists, are inspired by one or many of the classics,” Durnell says. “It’s important to know how wines have been made from specific grapes for decades or even hundreds of years. From there, a patron gains a grasp of styles and preferences. With these classics, we try not to have bulk wine as a representation. We source from smaller producers — preferably estate-grown grapes or specific viticultural areas — to show the wine’s typicity.”
The Westfield Wine Vault staff is knowledgeable without being intimidating. Instead, they create a warm, approachable environment, offering guidance and recommendations for guests at every level of wine familiarity.
For Durnell, the most rewarding part of owning and operating Westfield Wine Vault is the people.
“I wasn’t sure if anyone would get what we do,” he says. “But after five-plus years, our loyal following has rewarded me, challenged me and inspired me to do better. I love when patrons come in and I not only know their faces, but their preferred wine. I’ve seen so many people enjoy the wine journey I’ve been on for 30 years, and that was the whole point.”
Learn more about Westfield Wine Vault’s current wine list and flight menu at westfieldwinevault.com/wine-flights. Westfield Wine Vault is located at 100 N. Union St. and remains open during downtown Westfield construction.
