Wine Drinkers Rejoice: Cooper's Hawk Planning Summer Opening

Restaurant-goers who love wine will have another option for fine dining in the city when Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants completes construction on its north Naperville location later this summer.

While the location will be similar in concept to the company’s other locations, the Naperville restaurant will have the winery’s largest tasting bar yet, with a special separate round tasting bar to accommodate larger groups, according to Cooper’s Hawk Founder and CEO Tim McEnery.

Ground was broken on the location on Freedom Drive in mid-February and construction is on track for a summer 2011 opening, McEnery said in an e-mail. The restaurant is located near , and .

“We love Naperville and it is the people and the strong community that made us feel like it would be a great fit,” McEnery said. “The demographic works well for our model. With a little bit Italian here and a steak restaurant there, we feel that the wine concept will fit nicely among that.”

The company will be hiring about 125 people to fill both full and part-time positions, and hiring is already underway, he said. The company is hiring full-time management staff and will be filling hourly positions this spring.

The restaurant will be 11,000-square-feet and will have the same modern casual feel that is found in its other locations with warm colors and casual contemporary design. What will be different is the larger tasting bar.

Cooper’s Hawk specializes in handcrafted wines and modern casual dining, he said.  The winery sources the grapes for its wines from the best vineyards in California, Washington, and Oregon. Each Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant has the same components: A Napa-style tasting room, retail area, full-service bar, barrel-aging room, and dining room, with private dining space. 

Along with the restaurant components, McEnery said that the menu features unique dishes with bin numbers listed next to each item on the menu, allowing diners to choose the perfect wine for the meal. 

The winery also offers a Wine Club—of which there are already many Naperville members—and members receive exclusive wines not available to the public, along with other incentives and promotions, including members only events and discounts.

Cooper’s Hawk has plans to open a location in Brookfield, WI, before the Naperville opening and plans to grow both inside and outside of Illinois, he said.

Though many businesses have struggled through the recession, McEnery said Cooper’s Hawk is a unique concept that hasn’t been seen in the Midwest.

“We bring value with award-winning wines and quality food at a reasonable price point,” he said. “We offer gracious hospitality to let the guests know how important they are to us.  These things have allowed us to grow.”

Those interested in applying for positions at the restaurant should visit the company's website and click on the employment link.