Zephyr provides a perfect atmosphere for friends and families to have a good time, try something new or something familiar. (Courtesy photo)

MARQUETTE — Since Daniel and Betsy Rutz first opened Everyday Wines seven years ago in Marquette, the couple has shared their knowledge and taste of worldwide, fairly priced wines with the local community.

“We work hard to know the wines that we sell and we love to share that knowledge with people,” Daniel Rutz said.

The couple initially got into the wine business after they realized there was a demand for it in the Upper Peninsula.

“We opened Everyday Wines because we kept meeting people that really loved wine and they would tell us all about their favorite shops,” Daniel said. “But they were always located downstate, or Milwaukee, or Green Bay — that’s when we realized that there was enough of an interested wine culture up here, but there wasn’t a local place for people to really tap into.”

Everyday Wines was a hit with the community and right away the community was asking for a space where people could gather and enjoy a great glass of wine — a winebar for the U.P.

After several successful years of operating the retail store, the Rutzes expanded their business in October 2016 by opening Zephyr, a wine bar and cafe located in a gorgeous open-windowed building along 215 S. Front St., Marquette.

Zephyr provides a perfect atmosphere for friends and families to have a good time, try something new, or something familiar.

While Zephyr is commonly thought of as a place that serves wine, the cafe also offers a unique menu with mouthwatering classic cocktails, a wide range of over 30 beers from all over the world, including eight options on tap, and, of course, a variety of over 100 types of wine by the glass or bottle.

The European-influenced food menu includes an array of homemade small plates, sandwiches, soup and salads. However, Zephyr’s slates of artisan cheeses and traditionally cured meats (charcuterie), along with their desserts, have gained the strongest following.

A private space, known as The Cellar, may be reserved for gatherings and events. This intimate space features the sandstone foundation and exposed joist ceiling, along with a 75-inch TV monitor and surround sound audio for a variety of event needs.

Live music can also be enjoyed most from 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Customers who have discovered a new wine or beer that they tried at Zephyr are in luck since most of the beers and wine can be purchased at Everyday Wines, which is conveniently located close by, at 129 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette.

Since the Rutzes and their staff have tried everything their business offers to the public, their team is more than happy to assist with any questions.

Zephyr is closed Mondays; open from Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and noon-10 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information visit www.zephyrmqt.com, Zephyr’s Instagram, or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UPwinebar/.