While breweries and beer bottle shops have been opening left and right in the Triangle, it always seemed to me that wine seemed to be lagging. Thankfully we recently got a new entry in the Triangle wine scene with Vita Vite in downtown Raleigh! Part art gallery, part wine bar and part retail, Vita Vite is pretty ambitious for what it brings to the neighborhood.
Located on the edge of the Warehouse District on Hargett Street, Vita Vite offers up an interesting combination of art gallery, wine and lounge in one very upscale space. At the front is Vita Vite’s covered patio with stuffed couches for wine drinking. Inside Vita Vite, you’ll find a visually interesting mix of art pieces, large front bar and even a fireplace. And in back you’ll find a small retail area of Southern goods along with more art and seating areas. You can tell immediately that a lot of work and money was put into the interior and decor.
At the bar, Vita Vite has a smallish list of wines by the glass, some beer and cider along with some fancy mimosas. We grab a couple of glasses and hang out in the front seating area on stuffed chairs. Looking around the space it’s an interesting mix of people. Mostly 30 – 50 year old folks which is about right for a wine bar. It’s definitely a more stylish and mature space that won’t appeal to everyone but in a good way. Apparently there’s also an event space in the back where I think they’ll need to do a good business since off the street traffic can be unreliable. The lovely enclosed patio up front means great lounging for when the weather is nice.
But they are off to a good start at Vita Vite! It’s a great looking space with a lot of color and texture for wine drinking. The addition of some charcuterie and cheese plates to the menu means you also have something to nosh on now at Vita Vite. Definitely certainly check it out next time you’re in the Warehouse District. Vita Vite means life and vine in Italiano and I imagine you could do just that here: slow down your life a bit with a good glass of vino, cheers!
