Turquoise Wine Bar plans August opening in Surprise

Turquoise Wine Bar is expected to open between mid and late August at Surprise City Center. The location will serve small lot wines, small plates and weekend live music without televisions in the room.

Turquoise Wine Bar is preparing for a Surprise debut later this summer at 14462 W. Elm Street, Suite 113, in Surprise City Center. Franchise owner Tim Wagenseller expects the location to open between mid and late August.

The brand was founded by Jen Sinconis and Laura Hernandez with a focus on making wine feel easier to approach. The Surprise franchise will pair selected wines with tasting flights, small plates, live entertainment and member programs built around social time.

The wine list will center on small lot selections. Flights will change regularly, with one bottle or wine in each flight replaced monthly, giving both regular wine drinkers and first time guests new options to try without a formal or intimidating tone.

Food will be built around small plates rather than a full dinner menu. Planned items include salads, flatbreads, charcuterie boards, desserts and Champagne cupcakes made in house with real Champagne.

The room will not have televisions, a choice meant to keep attention on conversation, wine and weekend music. Memberships will offer one to six bottles per month, holiday events and benefits tied to planned trips next year to places such as France, Italy, Rome and other European wine regions. Wagenseller grew up in Sedona around wine and hospitality businesses, then spent about 20 years building aquarium related companies before moving into this franchise.