Signature Wine Dinner at Echelon Wine Bar with Chef Thomas Owens

Cherish a Night to Remember at Echelon Wine Bar with Chef Thomas Owens

Enjoy an evening to explore the senses with amazing culinary delights and wines from around the world at Richmond’s newest wine bar with a rustic modern flare.  

Nestled among the cobblestone streets of historic Shockoe Slip is Echelon Wine Bar. Recently renovated and opened in 2023, this historic 1850’s building was transformed into a chic vibe with a modern flare that is integrated beautifully with the old wooden beams and brick walls. Please join Executive Chef Thomas Owens and Sommelier Aimee Henkle as we take you on a multiple course journey of culinary delights paired perfectly with wines from around the world.   

With Your Ticket, You Will:

• Enjoy a multi-course dinner prepared by Chef Thomas Owens with wines matched to the cuisine by Owner/Sommelier Aimee Henkle
• Enjoy sparkling wine reception upon arrival
• Chef Thomas and Aimee will discuss the wine and food pairings for each course

Important Information

• All inclusive
• Limited to 36 guests
• You may arrive anytime after 6:00pm
• We can accommodate special dietary restrictions. Please contact us once you purchase tickets.
• Several parking garages within one block. Please check our website for parking or call us.
• 21 and over

About Chef Thomas Owens

Growing up in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, chef Thomas Owens formed a deep connection with food at an early age. He attributes much of his passion to experiences with his father's fruit trees, hundreds of chickens, and summer afternoons spent around the dinner table shelling peas and shucking corn, ingraining a relationship with how and what we eat. 

Thomas got his first job in a nearby fine dining establishment spending every available moment watching and learning how sausage and cheese were made. Before graduating high school, he knew the kitchen was where he was meant to be. After moving to Richmond, Thomas spent time with his mentor learning pastry with Alaine LeComte at Chez Max. He relocated to New Orleans working as a saucier in one of the city's most exciting restaurants at the time, Le Foret under CMC James Corwell. After New Orleans, he spent time in Washington State on an organic farm strengthening his relationship with foodways and animal husbandry. In 2012, Thomas returned to Richmond, spending time at The Black Sheep and Saison, where he was lauded as Rising Chef of the Year in 2019. 

As Executive Chef at Echelon, Thomas works to maintain seasonality, sustainability, and hopes to challenge diners perceptions while bringing people together in a shared experience.   

About Sommelier Aimee Henkle

Aimee Henkle grew up in south Texas and holds a BS & MS in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from MIT. Since 2012 she has owned and managed her own winery and vineyard in Northern Virginia, Lost Creek Winery, whose wines have received numerous gold medals and 90+ ratings from James Suckling. In 2021, Lost Creek was named one of the “10 Names to Know in Virginia Wine” by Decanter Magazine.

In 2018, Aimee began pursuing her Wine Spirits and Education Trust certifications from the Capital Wine School and holds a Level 3 certification with distinction and is currently in the midst of her WSET Diploma. In 2020, Aimee opened Echelon Wine Bar in Leesburg, Virginia and as the owner/wine director has grown a wine list of over 350 wines around the world that has been awarded Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for 3 consecutive years since 2022. Looking to expand her love of wine beyond Northern Virginia, Aimee opened Echelon Wine Bar in Richmond, Virginia in 2023. She has worked with Jay Youmans, MW, owner of  Capital Wine School to bring WSET certification courses to Echelon Wine Bar in Northern Virginia and soon to Richmond. Echelon Wine Bar also hosts an array of wine classes each week of varying styles, varietal focus, and regions, of which you will find Aimee teaching on a regular basis. In addition, Aimee has served on the Board of Directors of the Loudoun Wineries and Winegrowers Association for the last 6 years and has been the Director of the Loudoun Wine Award Competition since 2016.

As Owner/Wine Director at Echelon, Aimee is focused on family owned, operated and sustainably farmed wines from small producers. Her goal is to produce a wine list of breadth vs depth that spans across the world. She strives to educate and share her knowledge so that all will come to appreciate the terroir and the love these producers impart in their wines that so many of us enjoy!