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The SoNapa Grille Story

Why SoNapa Was Founded

SoNapa Grille was founded on a shared passion for wine and the belief that great wine has the power to bring people together. What began as conversations among friends about creating a wine-focused dining experience quickly evolved into something much more meaningful—a place where relationships are built, memories are created, and community is celebrated.

Inspired by two of the greatest growing regions in the world, Sonoma County and Napa Valley wineries, the founders envisioned a restaurant where guests could enjoy exceptional wines, chef-inspired cuisine, and genuine hospitality in a warm and inviting setting. Rather than simply serving food and wine, SoNapa was created to transport guests to Wine Country and provide an experience centered on connection, conversation, and discovery.

Today, SoNapa Grille has grown into a regional restaurant group, but its purpose remains unchanged: to delight our guests and create lasting memories. Every location reflects the spirit of Wine Country—a place where great wine, exceptional cuisine, and meaningful moments are meant to be shared.

Bottle of wine and appetizer

Our Mission & Core Values

Our Mission, Our Values, Our Promise

At SoNapa Grille, our mission is simple:

To delight our guests and create lasting memories.

Everything we do—from the wines we pour and the dishes we prepare to the way we welcome guests through our doors—is guided by this purpose. We believe great hospitality is about more than food and wine. It's about creating meaningful experiences that bring people together.

You'll often hear our slogan:

TASTE. TOAST. TOGETHER.

For our guests, it captures the essence of the SoNapa experience—sharing exceptional wines, chef-inspired cuisine, and memorable moments with family and friends.

For our team, however, TASTE means something even more important. It serves as the foundation of our culture and the values that guide our decisions every day.

T.A.S.T.E.

Trust
We build lasting relationships through honesty, integrity, and accountability.

Allegiance
We are loyal to our guests, our teammates, and our commitment to excellence.

Strength
We embrace challenges, support one another, and continually strive to improve.

Teamwork
We believe great hospitality is achieved when people work together toward a common goal.

Excellence
We pursue the highest standards in food, wine, service, and every guest interaction.

These values shape the way we hire, train, lead, and serve. They define the culture within our restaurants and help ensure every guest experiences the warmth, hospitality, and Wine Country spirit that make SoNapa Grille unique.

Whether you're joining us for a casual evening, celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a glass of wine with friends, or attending one of our events, our mission remains the same:

Taste. Toast. Together.
Delighting guests and creating lasting memories—one experience at a time.

Meet the Partners

What started with a passion for wine and hospitality has grown into one of Northeast Florida's most recognized independent restaurant groups.

SoNapa Grille was founded by Adam Barringer, whose love for the wines of Sonoma County and Napa Valley inspired a vision to bring the Wine Country experience to Florida. What began as a single restaurant has evolved into a growing family of locations built around exceptional wines, chef-inspired cuisine, and genuine hospitality.

Along the way, Adam was joined by lifelong friend Chris Botting, culinary school graduate, entrepreneur, and fellow wine enthusiast. Together, they shared a belief that great food, great wine, and meaningful conversation have the power to bring people together.

As SoNapa continued to grow, Eddie Gallagher, who has worked alongside Adam since the early years of his career, became an integral part of the company's success. After nearly two decades helping lead operations and culture as General Manager, Eddie became a partner, bringing his passion for hospitality and dedication to guests and team members alike.

In 2020, Joe Bates joined the partnership as Director of Operations. Known for his leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to service excellence, Joe helped strengthen the foundation for SoNapa's continued growth.

Together, Adam, Chris, Eddie, and Joe share a common passion for exceptional wine, genuine hospitality, community involvement, and living life to its fullest. Their collective vision continues to guide SoNapa Grille as it expands throughout Florida while remaining true to its mission:

To delight our guests and create lasting memories.

The Story Behind JACE Cellars

Their friendship and shared passion for wine eventually led to another venture: JACE Cellars, SoNapa's own wine brand.

The name JACE is an acronym created from the first names of the four partners:

Joe
Adam
Chris
Eddie

More than just a wine label, JACE Cellars represents the friendship, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit that helped build SoNapa Grille. It is a reflection of the same values that guide the restaurant group today—bringing people together through great wine, great food, and unforgettable experiences.

SoNapa Grille Instagram

Follow us @sonapagrille
From backyard plants in paint buckets to one of the largest nurseries in the US. 70 years of growth, started by grandparents. Amazing transformation! #Nursery #BusinessGrowth #FamilyBusiness #Gardening #Entrepreneurship #GreenThumb #PlantLovers #LegacyFamily library releases are a special thing. Showcasing what Napa and other regions can truly be. These wines are on point! #NapaValley #WineLover #LibraryRelease #FamilyWines #WineTasting #VineyardLife #WineCulture #SpecialReleaseSee the evolution of wine. A 2021 vintage, aged 13 years, side-by-side with its younger self. Two winemakers, same grapes, different magic. #WineLovers #WineTasting #Vineyard #Winemaking #WineGeek #Sommelier #Grape #VintageUnicorn wines aren't just high scores, they're hard to find! Like this Cab Franc that sells out in 5 months. Discovering alternatives to stacked Cabernet Sauvignon. #WineTok #CabernetFranc #UnicornWine #WineDiscovery #Sommelier #WineLover #RareWine #VineyardLifeNapa's secret: library releases! Beyond current vintages, these aged gems offer a taste of history. Pouring a 2013 Napa wine? Pure magic. This is the fucking shit. #NapaValley #WineLover #LibraryRelease #WineTasting #AgedWine #CaliforniaWine #Sommelier #WineGeek #VintagesThe 2023 vintage: a unicorn year for wine. Beautiful fruit ripened at a perfect rate, no extreme heat spikes. Vines were just allowed to be. #Wine #Vintage #Winemaking #Vineyard #Grape #WineLover #Orchard #VineyardLifeCabernet Franc often rivals Cabernet Sauvignon in price per ton in Napa Valley. Why? Less of it is planted, making great quality harder to find, but oh so worth it. #NapaValleyWine #CabernetFranc #WineGrapes #WineEducation #VineyardLife #WineLovers #Gourmet #FineWine🎥✨ Saturday Night Behind the Scenes! Check out our time-lapse footage at SoNapa Grille "The Shores." Experience the magic of our kitchen and the vibrant atmosphere as we experience a busy night! 🍽️ 

#SoNapaGrille #BehindTheScenes #TimeLapse #DiningExperience #Foodie #SaturdayNightVibes #TheShores 🌊Triple tail: mild, flaky, buttery, and sears up beautifully. Tonight, it's pan-seared with a crab stuffing, served over lemon-herb jasmine rice with pickled asparagus. Pure seafood bliss! #TripleTail #SeafoodLover #FishRecipe #GourmetCooking #HomeCooking #Foodie #Seafood #ReelsFood #CookingShow #Delicious
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