This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.

Vintage ‘78 Wine Bar is a refined, 21-and-up wine destination in downtown Overland Park, operated by Kansas City–raised culinary veteran Michael Scherzberg, earning two prestigious international wine list awards within its first year of operation.1

Description

Vintage ‘78 Wine Bar opened in spring 2023 on the ground floor of The Vue apartments at 7251 W. 80th Street in downtown Overland Park. The bar takes its name from 1978 — widely regarded as an exceptional vintage year across the Rhône Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Piedmont, Tuscany, and California — which also happens to be owner Michael Scherzberg’s birth year. The concept centers on accessibility: wines are served in incremental pour sizes and curated flights, in varietal-specific Riedel crystal, alongside small plates developed by chef Kyle Ketchum.

The wine program has drawn serious international recognition. Within its first year, Vintage ‘78 earned a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator (summer 2023), followed in early 2024 by a Three Star Award from The World’s Best Wine Lists — the highest rating that program offers, earned by just 144 restaurants globally — and a Jury Prize recognizing distinctive character and exceptional value, one of only 42 establishments worldwide to receive it. A Star Wine List Award followed in spring 2024.

The atmosphere is chic and intimate, with an adults-only (21+) door policy. Scherzberg has stated his intent to grow the concept deliberately, with a focus on exceptional employee benefits including tuition assistance through Johnson County Community College.

Ownership and history

Michael Scherzberg was raised in Kansas City and worked in restaurants through his teens before leaving for Scottsdale, Arizona to attend the Scottsdale Culinary Institute (graduating at the top of his class in 1998). His career spanned some of the most acclaimed dining rooms in the country: Patrick O’Connell’s The Inn at Little Washington, Joël Robuchon’s L’Atelier in New York City, Joachim Splichal’s Patina Group in Los Angeles, and Jonathan Wright’s Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans. He also holds an Advanced Diploma of International Restaurant Business from Le Cordon Bleu in Adelaide, Australia, and contributed to luxury openings including The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley.

After more than two decades in the industry, Scherzberg returned to the Kansas City area and identified downtown Overland Park as the right home for his first independent venture. Co-operator Megan Downes joined the project; together with chef Kyle Ketchum — a culinary school classmate of Scherzberg’s — the team brings over 75 years of combined industry experience.23

Sources

Disputes

None at this time.

Footnotes

  1. https://vintage78winebar.com/ — official website. Asserts: address, name, hours, wine program description, 21+ policy, awards. ↩

  2. https://citylifestyle.com/articles/vintage-78-wine-bar — City Lifestyle Overland Park feature. Asserts: owner Michael Scherzberg, name origin (birth year + 1978 wine vintage), KC upbringing, culinary career biography, Chef Kyle Ketchum partnership, 75+ combined years experience. ↩

  3. https://johnsoncountypost.com/2023/05/07/vintage-78-downtown-op-opens-200997/ — Johnson County Post, May 2023. Asserts: opened spring 2023 at 7251 W. 80th St., The Vue apartments; Megan Downes co-operator. ↩

See also

  • Registry
  • Owner-And-History-Research-Toolchain
Categories
  • Kansas City–owned
  • Overland Park Ks