The brainchild of sommelier Michael Kirkendoll (also known as “the Uncorked Pianist”), Pane e Vino in Lawrence, Kan., is a hub for wine lovers in the Sunflower State. A wine bar, bistro and wine education center rolled into one, this Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner (previously named the East Lawrence Wine Academy) hits all the marks for making great wine accessible.
Kirkendoll entered the wine world after years as a concert pianist, frequently traveling around Europe and immersing himself in the food and wine there. He became particularly hooked on the wines of Tuscany, and even founded a contemporary music festival in the Tuscan town of Cortona in 2010. Kirkendoll continues to visit Tuscany each year and offers tours of wineries to large groups of visiting musicians, building bonds between artists and winemakers.
Today, he is dedicated to building a burgeoning wine community in Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas and its NCAA Division 1 Jayhawks basketball teams. His list of more than 250 wines is available during service and special events; even better, guests can order these by the bottle, by the glass or as 2- or 3-ounce tasting pours. While diners can let Kirkendoll and his staff take the reins, they can also compose their own flights.
The list— lovingly accented with Kirkendoll’s educational blurbs about regions and grapes—is most focused on Italy and France, with picks from the likes of Pierre Amadieu, Ornellaia and G.D. Vajra. These join ample options from California and other regions across the globe.
The experience at Pane e Vino varies, since the space is only open three days a week: On Tuesdays, the kitchen serves house-made pasta, and on Fridays, the wine bar offers small plates with discounted flights focused on specific regions or producers. Saturdays are “bistro night,” with a special three-course menu that changes each week, featuring a classic dish such as cassoulet, moules marinières and braised short ribs on polenta. The Pane e Vino space also offers wine education classes and dinners from guest chefs; Kirkendoll and his team cater events as well, from weddings to casual at-home parties.
