Saying so long to the Chateau du Reaux, Culpeper customers

Monroe Baisden
Published: November 9, 2008

When we opened our wine shop more than eight years ago, I thought I knew a lot about wine. In fact, thinking I did know a lot about wine gave me the courage to open the shop.

Needless to say, within a week it was clear that I really didn’t know much at all and needed to get busy making up for lost time. I read everything I could get in my hands and drove the sales reps crazy with constant questions. To be unable to answer customers’ questions and properly serve them was unacceptable. After all of these years, I still have a great deal to learn and will continue my quest. The good thing about all of this — it has been a great ride and a lot of fun.

I also received another major challenge when the Star Exponent agreed to run my wine column. I had no idea how difficult it would be to come up with a new topic each week, but the research involved enabled me to continue learning about wine. Not only do I get lessons in wine, but, also in geography, history, politics and science not to mention insight into different cultures. I was frequently encouraged by people stopping me or my wife on the street saying that they really enjoyed the articles. At least I felt like I wasn’t putting too many folks to sleep.

We definitely took a gamble when we decided to open the shop. There had never been a wine shop in Culpeper, and the east end of Davis Street had just begun to be renovated. Our business plan was quite complicated and detailed. We thought it was time, and we were tired of going to Charlottesville for wine. That’s it. I guess others agreed. Our primary focus was on helping our customers learn about wine without intimidation and pretense. Admittedly, wine can be a daunting beverage, and some people enjoy building their own egos at another’s expense. This is true in many other facets of life as well, and, as Charlie Brown said, I can’t stand it. So, we set about making wine fun, enjoyable and unpretentious. Hopefully our customers and readers have found it so.

As many of you know, we have sold Chateau du Reaux and are heading into a new stage of our lives. Our customers, both existing and new, will have the same opportunities in the shop under the guidance of the new owner, Kim Kelly. Fun, energetic and wine savvy, she will continue what we started. We wanted people to know of the many, many different wines available, and to be willing to expand their taste experiences though our being the guinea pigs to first try them and then recommend them.

We have truly enjoyed our time as Culpeper’s primary source of fine, reasonably priced wines, but most importantly, as a fun place to shop or just visit. We will miss you and thank you all for your support and friendship over the past eight years. Cheers and bon appetite!

Monroe Baisden is the owner of Chateau du Reaux, a wine shop on East Davis Street. E-mail him at