Kinship Wine + Wares brings wine, gifts and gathering space to Lake Anne Plaza
- The Reston Letter Staff
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
by Ellyn Wexler, staff writer
When Jen Monago learned there was an available storefront at Lake Anne Plaza, she didn't hesitate.
"It had always been my dream to own my own shop," Monago said. "I had been waiting for the right opportunity. When my close friend and owner of Elden Street Tea Shop told me there was a space available, I jumped at the chance."
That opportunity became Kinship Wine + Wares, which opened July 2 at 1635 Washington Plaza N.
The nearly 400-square-foot store offers about 150 carefully curated wines, gourmet pantry items, vintage-inspired gifts and artisan wares in what Monago hopes will become a gathering place for the Reston community.
"We chose 'Kinship' because wine and gathering are all about connection and bringing people together like family," she said.
For Monago, opening Kinship fulfills a longtime dream. After nearly 20 years in retail operations, she pursued wine education through Savvy Somm and became a certified sommelier while working in luxury wine sales.
Her interest in wine began after college but deepened after moving to Northern California, where wineries were just a short drive from her home.
"The more I learned, the more I fell in love with how it brings people together and tells the story of a specific place and season," she said. "Becoming a sommelier was just a natural dive down that delicious rabbit hole."
Monago, who has lived in Reston for 10 years, said Lake Anne's history, artistic character and close-knit atmosphere made it the perfect location for the business. Her oldest child will begin ninth grade at South Lakes High School this fall, while her younger child attends Cooper Middle School.
"Lake Anne has always felt like the ultimate community hub," she said.
She hopes the store will become what she describes as "a neighborhood living room."
"When you walk in, I hope you immediately feel like you've stepped into a welcoming friend's living room," Monago said. "I want people to smell a freshly opened bottle of wine, hear great music, laugh with us and feel completely at ease exploring wine without any intimidation or fuss."
Monago said the response from neighboring businesses and residents has been encouraging.
"People are ready for a spot to just hang out and connect."
The wine selection features small producers, sustainable and regenerative farming, family-owned vineyards, unique imports, local selections and nonalcoholic options. Most bottles are priced under $50, with selections ranging from about $18 to $80.
Among Monago's current favorites are Walsh Family Rosé from Purcellville and Nalle Valley Cinsault from South Africa.
Beyond wine, customers will find gourmet pantry items, hot sauces, vintage glassware and retro-inspired hostess gifts. Monago's favorite treasures include a French cake server and fork set she found at a Paris flea market this spring and a vintage silver-and-glass sugar and creamer set by Dorothy Thorpe.
Rather than emphasizing wine expertise, Monago said she focuses on making customers feel comfortable.
"Wine can totally feel daunting," she said. "We meet people where they are and chat about flavors people already enjoy instead of throwing wine jargon at them."
The store already hosts weekly "Wednesday Wine Downs" tastings from 5 to 7 p.m. and plans to expand its programming with educational events and partnerships with other Lake Anne businesses and community organizations as it grows.
Currently staffed by a team of three, Kinship expects to add additional employees in August. An official grand opening is planned Sept. 17-19.
Monago said her goal for the first year is simple: to become part of the fabric of the community.
"We want to deepen our roots in Reston, share great stories through every bottle and become a go-to gathering spot for neighbors," she said.