UPDATED Feb. 20 with information on the new owners.
The Wine Barn on Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park has been sold, but contrary to rumors, the bottle shop and pizza parlor is not closing its doors.
Former owner Andres Montoya says the new owners, Ramón & Veronica Llado, plan to keep the name and continue with the same concept, including the wood-fired pizzas and the rest of the food menu.
He says they’ve retained him as wine buyer and asked him to revamp the inventory.
“Expect in the next few weeks to find a re-energized wine selection, solid values and low prices,” he said in an email last night.
The Llados are a husband and wife team. Ramón hails from Catalunya, Spain and Veronica is from Ecuador, according to Montoya. He says this is their first restaurant venture in this country.
“While new to running a wine and food operation in the US, they have many years of experience in the building and construction industry,” Montoya said.
“As for me,” he went on, “I will forever remain committed to the wine industry, and look forward to … exploring, learning, buying and selling the beverage that we, as wine lovers, could never leave behind.”
More details will follow as they become available.
Orlando Wine Blog 