Taj McCoy works hard at being the best literary agent for her clients, trying to get them the best publishing deals, advising them on career paths to authorship and even being an author herself. All the work she puts into her profession calls for her to relax and refresh and so she takes to Era Wine Bar located in Mount Rainier, Maryland in Prince George’s County, to unwind.
McCoy patronizes Era Wine Bar several times a week, to support her friends – co-owners Ka-Ton and Dr. Michelle Grant – while consuming wine and taking her mind off work and what is going on in the world.
“I knew the Grants before they opened Era Win Bar and I am happy to support them,” said McCoy, 43. “I love it because it is a Black-owned establishment, and I like the type of people they are. They are for the community.”
McCoy is not the only one who seems to resonate with Era Wine Bar, as the establishment was nominated for the Wine Program of the Year for the 2025 RAMMYS, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) annual awards.
The winner of that category, as well as the others, will be announced on Aug. 3 at The RAMMYS Awards Gala held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, D.C.
McCoy notes that this is the third time Era Wine Bar has been nominated for a RAMMY.
“They are beyond deserving to win it this time,” she said.
Era Wine Bar: A Dream Come True
Mount Rainier residents and wine enthusiasts, the Grants opened Era Wine Bar, in fulfillment of a dream.
“When I first met her some years ago, she already had a 100-page business plan,” Ka-Ton Grant said of his wife, who had always wanted to open a wine eatery. “This was her dream. She had sampled wines from all over the world.”
Era Wine Bar formally opened November 2021. The initial desire was to set up the establishment in the District but after consideration of several factors, they settled on Mount Rainier in a building located on the busy Rhode Island Avenue corridor.
“We live in the neighborhood and wanted to provide some new energy to it,” said Grant, 48.
The husband and restaurateur said customers get to choose between 80-125 different types of wine to consume, “depending on the season,” adding he has discovered trends among his patrons.
“I noticed that when it is hot, people tend to want champagne,” he said. “During the colder months, they favor red wine.”
The menu offers snacks such as welcome dates, an assortment of goat cheese and crushed pistachios, and mixtures like mushroom and artichoke, blackened shrimp and avocado and Parmesan Fries. There are also such delights as Spanish chickpeas, Grand Cru Burger and pan-seared Atlantic salmon. There are special plates known as Era Boards that are a combination of meats and vegetables in one serving.
“The Era Boards are foods that are grouped by country,” Grant told The Informer. “For example, the Tour de France is a grouping of French foods.”
He said the menu was put together with intentionality.
“We wanted to serve our customers the best foods that complement their wines,” the co-owner emphasized.
Praise for Era Wine Bar
Era Wine Bar has received praise for its service and offerings on various media platforms.
Dustin S. of Sterling, Virginia wrote on a July 10 post of Yelp Review “this wine bar is absolutely charming, with an elegant and bright ambiance.”
“Although the brunch menu is small, every dish was flavorful and satisfying,” Dustin S. continued. “The staff was attentive, and the wine recommendation was perfect. I really wanted to take a bottle with me, but I was traveling. I would definitely return for dinner next time.”
Olivia Harpster also lives in Mount Rainier and enjoys coming to Era Wine Bar for a sip of wine.
She also hopes that the three-time RAMMYS nominee secures a win this year.
“When I think of the owners of this bar, I think of commitment, consistency and curiosity,” Harpster, 36, told The Informer. “The owners here are very knowledgeable about wines. A good wine should tingle your taste buds, and its smell should interest you. They know good wines and they make you want to say, ‘I want to have this.’”
