Revive Coffee & Wine celebrates 5th anniversary with grand opening of The Barrel Room

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Revive Coffee & Wine has been a popular spot in South Lake Tahoe for coffee, food, wine, and ambiance since opening in June of 2016, and now there is a new addition to the Al Tahoe business.

The Barrel Room is opening adjacent to Revive and celebrates Tahoe's history along with a full line-up of wines, six local area beers on tap, and a small plate menu. Months in the making, The Barrel has been hand-crafted as nicely as its extensive wine and beer list.

The sleek bar is from a tree that was possibly used on the Pony Express route that came through South Lake Tahoe 1861-62. Local contractor John Tomaselli was hired to cut the tree and saw the beauty of it and learned about its possible history. Cut as a four-inch slap, the tree is now the bar after hours of finishing and resin applied by Jared Brackett.

"It's been a labor of love," said owner Robin Bender.

She filled the walls with historic photos from the Lake Tahoe History Museum including one of Lucky Baldwin enjoying a lively picnic on the shore with Captain Pomin and other local characters.

Brackett's craftsmanship is evident throughout with wine barrel tables and other finishing touches.

Bender is having the bar's windows open onto a new outside garden where there will be live music and plenty of seating to enjoy a glass of wine or beer from.

"The excitement is building," said Bender of the anticipated grand opening. She had a soft opening over the Memorial Day Weekend and will have an official grand opening when Revive turns five on June 24.

She said the Barrel Room will be the perfect spot before and after dinner, and for a nice afternoon beverage while listening to music in a small, intimate setting.

The Barrel Room is in the space formerly occupied by South Tahoe Stand Up Paddle. Seeing less of a need for retail, Chris Brackett moved those operations over to the lakefront concession at El Dorado Beach down the street.

Prior to Revive, the building that is housing it and the Barrel Room was Pichetti Winery Tasting Room, a wedding chapel, and even the home of two local well-known families.

Revive is keeping its garden behind the coffee shop so there'll be two outside spots for each half of the business.

Hours have not been set in stone yet, but Bender said it looks like noon to 9:00 p.m. at the peak of the season.