Kokopelli Winery & Bistro to open in Surprise

An Arizona family of winemakers opens a restaurant spinoff in Surprise of its family vineyard on July 15.

Kokopelli Winery & Bistro at 14719 W. Grand Ave. will start serving dinner that day at 5 p.m.

Dennis and Melissa Minchella, owners of the flagship Kokopelli bistro in Chandler and the family's accompanying vineyard near Willcox, are behind the eatery.

The Minchella's are known for their family-made wines such as Wine-a-Rita, a margarita-inspired green wine, and Sweet Lucy, a red dessert wine, which are sold across the state.

The Surprise venue was slated to open in time for the 2008 spring training season. However, construction and permitting delays pushed that opening back to midsummer.

Kokopelli, along with Rally Chants, a sports bar partially owned by Arizona Diamondbacks organist Bobby Freeman, will anchor the U-shaped Colonnade Village Square retail center near Grand Avenue and Reems Road.

The Surprise Kokopelli staff will make wine in-house and eventually host wine tastings and festivals throughout the West Valley.

The 5,175-square-foot restaurant will provide catering and will also deliver to the Hampton Inn next door.

The new location will offer the same full menu for lunch and dinner as the spot in Chandler: appetizers, homemade soups, specialty salads, panini sandwiches, pastas, and daily pork, chicken and seafood entrees. However, the Surprise outlet will also offer a more extensive dinner menu that will include steaks and Kobe beef burgers and a beer selection.

Live jazz and blues will be featured from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Beginning in August, a Sunday brunch will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Surprise Kokopelli opens at 5 p.m. on July 15 and 16. Starting July 17, it will be open Monday through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information or to make reservations: 623-556 4810.

Reporter Luci Scott contributed to this story.

Dennis and Melissa Minchella, owners of Kokopelli Winery & Bistro.