Winezilla Brings Ferndale Fizz and More to Downtown Ferndale

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 4, 2013)

With most wines priced under $15, and an obviously silly name, Winezilla is not the typical wine shop.  However, it is quickly assimilating into the culture that has been coined “Ferndale Normal,” meaning that any place else it might seem strange, but not much is out of place here.

Wine connoisseur Ed Bosse has spent his life working at wine bars and even owned a couple wine shops along the way.  Some may remember Simply Wine, which was located next to Anita’s Kitchen about five years ago.  Bosse sold that business and watched with sadness as the business lagged, vowing that one day he would return to Ferndale, with a concept even bigger and better than before!

Winezilla is the beast of Bosse’s imagination.  “Wine is a fun, simple agricultural product,” he said.  “Winezilla was chosen to let ‘normal’ human beings know that wine is made for them, not snotty ‘wine’ people.

“We like presenting wine as an option for mere ‘humans’ in terms of price, and simple deliciousness. We also like Ferndale for those types of’ Real Folks’ and we enjoyed our time here as owners of Simply Wine.”

While the selections tend to favor simple, small production wines from Michigan, France and Spain, the flavor of Winezilla’s atmosphere is bold and exciting.  Local artist Daniel Cascardo played a big role in helping Bosse with shop’s design.  His artwork on the walls pairs nicely with the artwork he has around town, including the Community Arts Building mural just up the street.

And as a special promotion, Cascardo created a mural that Winezilla customers were able to help paint over the course of the shop’s first two weeks, finished just in time for the New Year.  The fanciful, multi-colored piece was then used to create Winezilla’s first private label wine, known as Ferndale Fizz.

Ferndale Fizz is a special creation made by Larry Mawby, a premier sparkling wine maker here in Michigan.  The limited edition sparkling wine, with Cascardo’s label, sells for just $16.

In addition to the wine, there is a rack packed with delicious Michigan snacks, including McClure’s pickles and Brownwood Farms condiments from Traverse City.  Bosse said that he’s also prepared to add a small white fridge to start selling Walt’s Crawlers out of, should the market call for it.  “So far people seem more interested in wine, but I’m not going to limit myself,” he said, noting that thus far he’s not found any bait shops in town.

To find out more about Winezilla, stop into the shop at 155 W. 9 Mile, or check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winezilla/343613429068516.  While there may not yet be worms, there are wine tastings.  Following them on Facebook is the best way to stay up on those.

For more on Daniel Cascardo’s work, check out our previous stories:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2009/09/01/gallery-walk-super-coverage/

http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/07/09/re-creation-unveiled-at-affirmations-video/

http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/06/17/custom-guitar-exhibit-opens-at-rust-belt-on-saturday/