Sommelier on new bar: ‘A space to share my love of wine’

For Amanda Atler, the idea for a wine bar emerged from a simple question years ago: Where can we get tasty apps and a glass of vino in Maricopa?

“My parents bought their [Maricopa] home in 2017 and during my visits, we always had the conversation about where to get a glass of wine and appetizers,” she said.

At the time, Oak & Fork — a wine bar located outside city limits inside Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino — had not yet opened, and restaurants and cafes that served wine were better known for their coffees and fare. Nowhere in town did wine take center stage.

But that question sparked an idea that Atler kept in the back of her mind for years until she moved to Maricopa in 2020.

“I’m just so excited to start because it’s been years in the making,” she said. “Mandy’s Wine Bar is a dream project come true.”

Slated to open this summer, Atler hopes Mandy’s Wine Bar will be a welcome retreat away from Maricopa’s main strip at 41600 W. Smith-Enke Road, suite 120.

‘I love bringing people together’

Hailing from Washington state, Atler fell in love with wine during business trips in the aviation industry. That sparked her interest to eventually become a sommelier and eventually open a wine bar.

With more than 25 years working in food service, sales and marketing, Atler hopes she can share this blend of experiences with the community in a variety of ways.

“I think of myself as a businesswoman first, but I love bringing people together,” Atler said. “I think to create a space to share my love of wine and food with others. Having a space where they can connect and be together with family and friends is really the goal of Mandy’s Wine Bar.”

Part of giving back includes jumpstarting a business mentoring program for young adults interested in business and the hospitality industry.

“I want to help them grow into their dreams,” she said.

What to expect from Mandy’s Wine Bar

Wine tastings, flights and a rotating list of featured regional wines are all part of Atler’s plan for the bar. But she also plans to include a small menu of beers, seltzers, craft espresso drinks, Italian sodas and mocktails.

“The focus is on wine, but I want everyone to feel welcome and have something they can enjoy,” she said.

That includes a host of small and shareable plates guests can enjoy, with the menu taking inspiration from the Mediterranean region. Expect to find cheese boards and charcuterie boards, sharable plates and flatbreads on the food menu.

Atler said the wine bar’s ambience will also take inspiration from some of her favorite spots in her home state, creating an airy yet elevated atmosphere perfect for a date night or Sunday brunch.

The bar will seat up to 80 patrons. That includes 24 seats on the patio, which Atler expects to open after temperatures drop in the fall months.